The ex-world number one said he could resume training as early as next month and was targeting a competitive comeback at the All England Open in March.

“I finished all my treatment… and have recovered very well,” a cheerful and a healthy-looking Lee, 36, told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

“I want to come back to court,” he said, adding: “As of now, I am not retiring.”

The three-time Olympic silver medallist was making his first public appearance since his shock diagnosis was announced in September.

Lee, who returned from treatment in Taiwan last month, said it was his “dream” to play in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which would be his fifth Summer Games.

“This is my dream. But health is most important,” he said, adding: “I just try my very best because I love my country… and I love badminton.”

Lee, who enjoys superstar status in Malaysia, was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer, forcing him to pull out of the Asian Games and world championships.

On the advice of his doctors, he travelled to Taiwan for treatment during which he lost five kilos (11 pounds). He returned to Malaysia a month ago.

“This is a time that is very tough for me,” said Lee, who has slipped to eighth in the world rankings.

Nose cancer is perhaps the biggest blow suffered by Lee, who was banned after testing positive for a proscribed anti-inflammatory at the 2014 world championships.

Lee returned to the sport in 2015, after authorities accepted he took the drug inadvertently.

Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai remarkably pointed to the spot when Raheem Sterling tripped himself up as he bore down on goal midway through the first half with City already leading 1-0 through David Silva’s opener.

“It’s not (a penalty),” said Guardiola. “VAR doesn’t exist in UEFA so that is the problem.”

Despite some controversial calls, the use of video referees was largely deemed successful at the World Cup and will be introduced in the Champions League next season.

However, Guardiola, who was sent to the stands for protesting a goal City had wrongly ruled out in a quarter-final elimination to Liverpool last season, called for it to be used in the competition this term.

“The referee must be helped by the technology. It’s not nice to score a goal in that (way) but it happened to us last season against Liverpool so the referee must be helped.”

Sterling also apologised to Kassai after kicking the ground as he attempted to chip the ball goalwards.

“I went to chip the ball and don’t know what happened,” said the England international. “I didn’t feel contact. I scuffed the ball, apologies to the ref.”

Ahead of the game City had been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent days with a series of allegations published by German magazine Der Spiegel claiming the English champions attempted to bypass UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Whatever storm clouds may be brewing in City’s boardroom, it appears they can do no wrong on the field as they warmed up for the Manchester derby on Sunday by smashing six goals for the second time in four days.

– Jesus punishes Shakhtar –

A lack of atmosphere had been blamed for City’s surprising record of three defeats in their previous three Champions League games at home.

The latest of those to Lyon in front of plenty of empty seats at the Etihad in September has now been long forgotten as back-to-back victories over Shakhtar and Hoffenheim have put City in a commanding position at the top of the group.

The fans were in better voice with fewer jeers than usual for the Champions League anthem and they soon had something to cheer when Silva tapped home Mahrez’s cross.

Guardiola apologised to Gabriel Jesus for nominating Mahrez as the penalty taker when the Algerian missed from the spot late on in a 0-0 draw at Liverpool last month.

The Brazilian started up front ahead of Sergio Aguero with one eye on keeping the Argentine fresh for Sunday, but Jesus may now have played himself into contention by more than doubling his tally for the season.

Jesus calmly slotted home the hotly contested spot-kick before Sterling curled in his seventh of the season from the edge of the area three minutes into the second half.

Possibly embarrassed by his earlier award, Kassai resisted a few more claims for a City penalty, but did eventually point to the spot once more when Silva was tripped 18 minutes from time and Jesus fired into the roof of the net.

Mahrez made it five by sneaking a shot in at the near post on his weaker right foot before Jesus’ chip rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

Guardiola also had the luxury of being able to take off Kyle Walker, Fernandinho and Silva early ahead of United’s visit as City look to go 12 points ahead of their local rivals after just 12 games of the Premier League season.

Ronaldo struck with a magnificent first-time volley on 65 minutes to seemingly leave Juve on course for the knockout phase, but Juan Mata equalised with an 86th-minute free-kick before Leonardo Bonucci turned into his own net.

Delighted United manager Jose Mourinho walked out onto the pitch at the Allianz Stadium cupping his ears and winking towards the crowd after a win that gave his side seven points from four games — two points behind leaders Juventus with two matches to play in Group H.

Juventus had proved wasteful with Sami Khedira and Paulo Dybala both hitting the woodwork before five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo brought the capacity 41,470 crowd to their feet when he hammered home Bonucci’s long pass from just inside United’s half.

“It’s not that we spoiled his (Ronaldo) goal, but five minutes from the end this shouldn’t have happened basically,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, whose side fell to their first defeat of the season.

“It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but we can’t win all the time. It’s better to have this type of stumble tonight.

“What really annoys me is losing a match we deserved to win, but at this stage it doesn’t matter that much, we still have nine points.”

It was the eighth goal this season for the 33-year-old Ronaldo who arrived from Real Madrid in July in a deal estimated to cost 340 million euros in total over four years, on top of the 110 million-euro transfer fee.

It was also the 121st Champions League goal for the player who holds the all-time record, and first since the 90th-minute penalty he scored for Real Madrid against Juventus in their dramatic quarter-final, second leg in Spain last April.

“We played a fantastic game, to our top level, as we cannot be any better than this,” said Mourinho.

“A point or three would have changed little for Juventus, but three points makes a big difference to us.”

– United ride luck –

Allegri had urged his side to achieve their first aim of the season by reaching the last 16, and a draw would have been enough.

Manchester United were without injured forward Romelu Lukaku with Alexis Sanchez taking his place alongside Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.

Ronaldo came close after five minutes when Bonucci laid it on for Dybala on the edge of the box, with the Argentinian chipping it over for Ronaldo whose volley was blocked by Victor Lindelof.

But the hosts sprung into action on the half-hour with a low Juan Cuadrado cross taking a deflection off Nemanja Matic’s knee before David De Gea reacted superbly to keep the ball out.

Ronaldo then teed up Khedira but the German’s low shot rattled the base of the post after 35 minutes.

United were then saved by the crossbar after the break with a curling Dybala effort flying over De Gea only to fail to dip enough.

But Ronaldo broke the deadlock when Bonucci curled over a pass which flew over Lindelof and straight into the path of Ronaldo who volleyed in past a helpless De Gea.

United though had the final word as Mourinho brought on Mata and Marouane Fellaini, who helped turn the game round in just four minutes, the Spaniard bending in a free-kick from the edge of the box to give the visitors a scarcely-deserved equaliser.

Juve were then left in shock as Ashley Young’s free-kick from the left bounced in off a combination of Bonucci and Alex Sandro after a frantic scramble in front of goal.

Mourinho conceded he had got carried away with his celebration.

“They insulted me for 90 minutes. I came here to do my job, nothing more,” said the former Inter Milan coach.

“I didn’t offend anyone at the end, I just made a gesture that I wanted to hear them louder. I probably shouldn’t have done it, with a cool head I wouldn’t have.”

 The Nakhon Ratchasima player only received the skipper’s armband from coach Milovan Rajevac on Tuesday and will lead the side in the opening game against Timor Leste at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Friday night (7pm). Group A, meanwhile, kicks off on Thursday as Cambodia host Malaysia and Vietnam travel to Laos.

“Our plan is take it one game at a time,” said the 31-year-old Chalermchai, who featured in the 2017 King’s Cup-winning team but will be making his Suzuki Cup debut.

“But we hope to win at least three games to dominate the preliminary round.”

Apart from Timor, Thailand are also placed along side Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore in the group, from which the top two will qualify for the knockouts.

Ticket sales have been slow for Thailand’s opener and Chalermchai is hoping for a late surge in public interest that would boost the team. “There will be a bit pressure playing at home. We need to win the first match to boost up the confidence of the team. We hope a huge crowd will turn out on Friday to show their support, which is really important to us,” he said.

Tougher battles lie ahead, however, and Chalermchai predicted an especially tough game with the Philippines at Bacolod City on November 21.

“The away game with Philippines will be the toughest in my veiw as they have several import players,” he warned. “We will have to study their game and go into the match well prepared.”

Vice captain Thitipan Puangchan, meanwhile, is being touted as a frontrunner to win the Asian Football Federation’s award for Player of the Year but says he is focusing solely on helping the team achieve its goals.

“It will barely mean anything to me if I win that [award] but my team doesn’t win the Cup,” Thitipan said.

“So my focus is 100 per cent on the team and we will follow the coach’s game plan strictly to achieve our goal.”

Varanyu, who broke through on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in May, marked his card with nine birdies, including four consecutive ones from the second hole, against a bogey and a double-bogey to remain atop the leaderboard with a two-day total of 10-under-par 134.

Starting the round with a two-shot advantage, the 21-year-old Varanyu birdied his opening hole on the 10th before play was suspended at 7.34am local time for about 3.5 hours due to lightning threats. It was later abandoned for the day at 6.04pm due to fading light.

A total of 49 players, including defending champion Wolmer Murillo of Venezuela, will return to the New Kuta Golf in Bali at 6.40am on Thursday to complete their rounds with the third and penultimate round scheduled to start not earlier than 9.00am.

Singapore’s Gregory Foo, who is playing in only his second start as a professional golfer, posted a 68 to move to second place. India’s Samarth Dwivedi and Thailand’s Thitipat Phatam also returned with matching 68s to stay a further shot back in third at the US$100,000 event.

The halfway cut is projected to be at one-over-par 145 with the leading 50 players and ties progressing into the final two rounds.

Varanyu, who had led from start to finish to claim his maiden ADT title in what was his first start on Tour this season, was delighted to put himself in position for another title bid on the secondary circuit, which was inaugurated in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour.

The young Thai, however, lamented a cold putter which saw him missed two five-footers for bogeys on the 13th and 16th holes and also making four putts for a double-bogey on the sixth.

“I kind of lost my momentum after the rain suspension but I thought I hung in there pretty well. It’s been a long day but I am actually hitting the ball better now. I just struggled with my putting on a couple of holes,” said Varanyu, who turned professional in 2015.

Foo, who has enjoyed an illustrious amateur career prior to joining the play-for-pay ranks last month, is feeling upbeat about his title quest at the Combiphar Players Championship.

“I am very happy with my round. I played really well and gave myself a lot of chances out there. It was a little tricky with the rain suspensions and the wind picking up in the afternoon but I managed to stay patient,” said Foo, who fired five birdies against a bogey for a 68.

“It definitely feels a little different playing as a professional, knowing that I am playing for myself now and doing this as a career. Having the other Singaporean players around definitely made the transition easier and it gives me a sense of familiarity too.

“I’m enjoying it so far even though it’s been only a few weeks. It’s something I have been looking forward to for a while and I did my best as an amateur to prepare for it so I am really motivated and excited to do well,” added the 24-year-old Singaporean.

Being one of the richest events on the ADT this season, the Combiphar Players Championship will be crucial in the race for the Order of Merit title, as well as the seven coveted 2019 Asian Tour cards on offer.

The Combiphar Players Championship marks the Tour’s third and last stop in Indonesia this season. It is also the penultimate event of the 2018 ADT season which will culminate with the PGM Maybank Championship in Malaysia at the end of the month.

All ADT events offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

Leading round two scores:

134 – Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (Tha) 67-67

138 – Gregory Foo (Sgp) 70-68

139 – Samarth Dwivedi (Ind) 71-68, Thitipat Phatam (Tha) 71-68

140 – Johnson Poh (Sgp) 72-68, Josh Salah (Usa) 72-68, Suttijet Kooratanapisan (Tha) 73-67, Chinnarat Phadungsil (Tha) 71-69, Kazuki Higa (Jpn) 69-71

Thidapa, who won her first LPGA title at July’s Marathon Classic presented by Owens-Corning and O-I, carded five birdies and one bogey on a windswept Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club.

“Everybody has to be patient when you play hard golf,” said Suwannapura, who broke her back in 2016 and is finally fully returning to form. “But then with this golf course it’s really challenging and it’s windy and you have to think where to go, where to miss. It’s kind of fun to play in this golf course. We just enjoying playing today.”

World No. 1 and Thidapa’s countrywoman Ariya Jutanugarn is one stroke behind at 3-under 69, tied with Canadian veteran Alena Sharp, who is playing for the first time since September’s Evian Championship. Six players are tied for fourth at 2-under 70, including three more Thai players in Moriya Jutanugarn, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and Benyapa Niphatsophon.

SUWANNAPURA ENJOYING LONG-AWAITED BREAKTHROUGH YEAR

One swing. That’s all it took for Thidapa Suwannapura’s life to change. On her second practice hole at the 2016 Kingsmill Championship, she felt a painful pop in her back. That pop – a fracture that quickly sent her into surgery.

“I didn’t think at all I’ll be able to play golf,” said Thidapa, who was sidelined for the next six months. “Without a surgery the doctor say I wouldn’t be able to walk within a year. That bad. All my right leg was numb.”

The damage necessitated a swing overhaul, adjusting her main movement from her back to her core. Working with physical therapists but no swing coach, Suwannapura adapted her motion to fit her new normal, and she is finally starting to see all the pain and hard work pay off. Her hard-earned win at the 2018 Marathon Classic, coming in her seventh season on Tour, was even more special due to what it took to get there.

“You kind of be like down because you been playing so long. I’m like, Okay, am I good enough?” said Thidapa, who admitted worrying about keeping her LPGA Tour Card prior to her victory in Ohio. “I have to try to be better somehow. When, where, what to do, so kind of lost. And then, yeah, somehow on those three weeks before I won, I just got up and say, You know what? I’m good enough to be here. I’m just going to play. Then I get better and better. That week my putts were dropping and then I won, so everything is good there.”

THAI INVASION IN CHINA

Through the first round of the 2018 Blue Bay LPGA, one flag is dominating the leaderboard. Five of the top nine players hail from Thailand, which has emerged this season as a growing force in the women’s game.

“I think we (have played) golf since when we were pretty young, and right now golf in Thailand is growing up a lot,” said Ariya Jutanugarn, currently No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking and the leader of the young Thai movement. “A lot of people start when they were so young. We got a lot of inspiration from a great player.”

Jutanugarn pointed to the past LPGA player Virada Nirapathpongporn and current PGA Tour star Kiradech Aphibarnrat as her points of inspiration. Thidapa Suwannapura highlights two other names, both very familiar to today’s golf fans.

“We have two top 10 in the world,” she said, meaning Ariya Jutanugarn and her sister Moriya Jutanugarn, who of whom have joined Suwannapura as 2018 LPGA Tour winners. “It’s getting better every year, I think.”

CLEAR-HEADED SHARP LOOKING TO BRIGHTER FUTURE

Alena Sharp came to Blue Bay with fresh legs and a fresh outlook on golf. Saying that this season “hasn’t been the greatest year for me,” the Canadian veteran got down to hard work in her adopted home state of Arizona, meeting with her coach several times in hopes of finding the next step in her game.

“I’m trying to gain more distance,” said Sharp, who is teeing up this week for the first time since the Evian Championship in mid-September. “That’s my overall goal with the driver. I’m not working on that right this second. That’s kind of after this tournament. Work into that and get in the gym more and get some more speed that way.”

Sharp did compete in a Cactus Tour event last week, emerging victorious and adding a pep to her step as she came to China. A good finish this week could earn her a spot in next week’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, but that’s not immediately on Sharp’s mind. She just wants to feel good about her game.

“There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Finishing off on a good note and getting ready for next year is my main goal for this week,” said Sharp. “I didn’t really have a lot of expectations coming in. I’m not thinking about CME. It would be nice to play next week, but if that happens that’s just a bonus.”

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 89 Thidapa Suwannapura (68, -4)

• Suwannapura is playing in her second Blue Bay LPGA; she finished T11 in 2014
• She hit 13 of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens, with 25 putts
• This is Suwannapura’s 27th event of the 2018 season; she won the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I and has two other top-20 finishes

Rolex Rankings No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn (69, -3)

• Jutanguarn is playing in her fourth Blue Bay LPGA, with a best finish of third in 2016
• She hit nine of 14 fairways and 10 of 18 greens, with 25 putts
• This is Jutanugarn’s 27th event of the 2018 season; she has wins at the Kingsmill Championship presented by GEICO, U.S. Women’s Open and Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, as well as 12 other top-10 finishes
• Jutanugarn has already clinched 2018 Rolex Player of the Year honors, as well as the Money Title and the LEADERS Top 10s competition

Rolex Rankings No. 187 Alena Sharp (69, -3)

• Sharp is playing in her fourth Blue Bay LPGA, with a best finish of T5 in 2015
• She hit nine of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens, with 26 putts
• This is Sharp’s 24th event of the 2018 season; she has one top-20 finish, when she finished T18 at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic

QUICK HITS

Jennifer Song had a hole-in-one at No. 7, from 152 yards and with an 8-iron; it was the 27th ace of the 2018 LPGA season

Song (T4, -2) is the leading American player

At T10, Mohan Du (-1) leads the contingent of 21 Chinese players; Du is a 16-year-old who last week won the China National Team Championship’s individual and team titles

Defending champion Shanshan Feng shot a 3-over 75 on Wednesday and is tied for 48th after the first round

Sandra Gal withdrew following the first round, citing personal reasons

SOCIAL MEDIA

Tournament: #BlueBayLPGA

LPGA: @LPGA, @LPGAMedia (Twitter), @lpga_tour (Instagram)

TV TIMES (all times Eastern)

Wednesday, Nov. 7 to Thursday, Nov. 8 – 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 8 to Friday, Nov. 9 – 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 9 to Saturday, Nov. 10 – 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

ONE Championship intends to lead a plan to invest up to US$50 million alongside other key partners into ONE eSports to create Asia’s largest global eSports Championship Series; ONE eSports will feature multiple blockbuster game titles across Asia and hold a number of eSports events held alongside ONE Championship martial arts events in 2019. Earlier this year, ONE Championship announced a 30 event schedule for 2019 for its global scale martial arts events across iconic Asian cities including Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Jakarta, Shanghai, Beijing, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and many other cities. ONE eSports will piggyback off this master event schedule in select cities.  In addition, ONE eSports will also produce and broadcast dedicated eSports content in the form of live event broadcasts, documentaries, reality shows, weekly magazine shows, highlights, video blogs, and other unique content across its global media broadcast platform in 138 countries. Also, recently-signed ONE Championship athlete and pound-for-pound mixed martial arts king Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will help to lead the ONE eSports efforts as its Chief Brand Ambassador; he is a lifelong gamer and well-known Twitch streamer with a rabid following.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “It is with great excitement that I announce ONE eSports, Asia’s largest global eSports Championship Series. We see a natural crossover between martial arts and gaming fans in Asia and an opportunity to bring them together under Asia’s home of millennial live sports. ONE Championship is committed to bringing its same brand of large-scale event production and live broadcast capabilities, unique world-class content production, global media distribution, storytelling expertise, and marketing experience to ONE eSports. Our mission is to celebrate Asia’s eSports heroes on the global stage. The establishment of ONE eSports transforms ONE Championship into Asia’s largest producer of millennial sports content.”

While ONE eSports will showcase blockbuster game titles from around the world, Dentsu is the dedicated marketing partner of the Japan eSports Union (JeSU) and will be responsible for harvesting Japanese game developers’ desire to expand in eSports across Asia via ONE eSports. Dentsu will also help to lead ONE eSports’ efforts to hold events across Japan. In addition, ONE eSports will also leverage Dentsu and Dentsu Aegis as its preferred marketing agencies for strategic marketing formulation and sponsorships around the world.

Shuntaro Tanaka, Director, Content Business Design Center of Dentsu, stated: “We are pleased to announce this partnership with ONE Championship as we look to further develop the rapidly growing eSports industry in Japan and the rest of Asia. We recognize good synergy between martial arts and eSports, making this a fantastic opportunity for both ONE Championship and Dentsu to participate in this growing segment in Asia, as well as leverage multiple content platforms for additional sales and business opportunities. ONE Championship has been a terrific partner and Dentsu is happy to move forward with ONE in this eSports venture.”

ONE eSports will also work with Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, to leverage its ecosystem of hardware, software, and services in the following manner:

• Razer will provide its expertise and leadership as a pioneer in the eSports industry to develop, manage, and organize an eSports tournament or series in partnership with ONE eSports.
• eSports Mogul, a Razer portfolio company, will provide the technical know-how and innovation for the development of an online platform to organize, manage, and stage online eSports events and tournaments.
• Razer Pay will serve as the payment platform for the ticketing of ONE eSports tournaments, as well as for the online sale of related merchandise and content.
• ONE eSports and Razer will explore joint marketing opportunities using Team Razer eSports athletes as well as ONE Championship athletes to drive communication and engagement to all martial arts fans and gamers across Asia.

Min-Liang Tan, Co-Founder and CEO of Razer, stated: “Like Razer, ONE Championship is at the forefront of a new digital entertainment revolution that delivers the sporting content that millennials hunger for, whether online or offline. This partnership will see us combining our respective areas of expertise and deliver unmatched cross-boundary experiences to our fans.”

ONE eSports will also explore working with the Singtel Group, Asia’s leading communications technology group with a combined mobile customer base of over 700 million. The collaboration across Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and India will potentially include joint eSports marketing efforts, production and distribution of eSports content through the Singtel Group’s platforms, telco data bundle plans and online and offline payment services through direct carrier billing and telco wallets. This is an extension of ONE Championship’s ongoing collaboration with the Singtel Group in mixed martial arts events.

Arthur Lang, CEO International of Singtel, said, “We have had a great partnership with ONE Championship since the joint launch of its app in May this year and other marketing collaborations across our regional footprint. We are pleased to take this collaboration into eSports. With the success of our PVP Esports Championship in October, we look to further engage with the gaming community through this partnership and increase our involvement in eSports.”

Last year’s runners-up were beaten by Red Star Belgrade, although the biggest losers on the night were Thierry Henry’s Monaco, who were eliminated following a resounding loss to Club Brugge.

Lionel Messi was still missing for Barcelona at the San Siro, and it was substitute Malcom who came off the bench to give the Spanish champions a late lead.

But Inter hit back to earn a point thanks to Mauro Icardi’s 87th-minute leveller, keeping the three-time former winners on course to join Barcelona in qualifying for the last 16 from Group B.

Tottenham remain in the hunt, however, after Kane’s late brace secured a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutch side had got off to a superb start at Wembley, taking the lead when Luuk de Jong headed home in the second minute.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team were starting to get desperate when skipper Kane equalised with 12 minutes left, and he headed home in the 89th minute with the help of two deflections as Spurs got their first win of the campaign.

“We had to dig deep and find another level when it mattered. The whole season we’ve been grinding out results here and there,” said Kane.

Liverpool were strong favourites away to Red Star in Serbia, but Jurgen Klopp’s team were poor in a 2-0 defeat to the 1991 European Cup winners.

Milan Pavkov scored twice in seven first-half minutes, heading in the opener and then beating Alisson with a powerful strike from range, to the delight of a huge home support.

“The boys are very disappointed, I’m very disappointed and we have to do better,” said Klopp.

The defeat exposes the Anfield club to the threat of an early elimination in Group C, with Napoli coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the night’s other game.

– Napoli hold PSG –

Kylian Mbappe set up Juan Bernat to put Paris ahead just before the break, but Lorenzo Insigne beat Gianluigi Buffon from the penalty spot in the second half as these sides played out a draw for the second time in a fortnight.

“This is a difficult group but we saw with Liverpool losing that everything is possible,” said PSG’s Julian Draxler. “A draw in Naples is not bad and we still have our fate in our own hands.”

Liverpool and Napoli are locked on six points from four games, with PSG one behind and Red Star another point adrift. Liverpool travel to the French capital in their next game.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid gained revenge for a 4-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund last month as Diego Simeone’s side defeated the Germans 2-0 in Spain, Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann scoring the goals.

The two favourites in Group A are not guaranteed a path to the last 16 yet, however, after Club Brugge claimed a stunning 4-0 win at Monaco.

The Belgians had not won a Champions League match since 2005, but they were 3-0 up midway through the first half at the Stade Louis II. Hans Vanaken scored twice, including a penalty, and the Brazilian Wesley belted in the third before Ruud Vormer sealed the win.

– ‘Worrying’ for Henry –

Semi-finalists in 2017, Monaco are now eliminated. It was a dreadful display from a side who have not won in 15 games, including five matches under Henry.

This result also came on the day the club’s Russian billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev was arrested in a corruption investigation.

“We started well, but once we fell behind we stopped playing and that’s a little bit worrying,” said Henry of his team’s performance.

Porto are on the brink of qualification from Group D after a 4-1 win at home to Lokomotiv Moscow. They lead the section by two points from Schalke, who defeated Galatasaray 2-0 in Gelsenkirchen.

Harry Kane believes Tottenham can still make the last 16 of the Champions League after coming to his side’s rescue once more in a late turnaround to beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on Tuesday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were only 12 minutes away from being eliminated as they struggled to recover from Luuk de Jong’s opener for PSV after 61 seconds at Wembley.

But England captain Kane came to the rescue with a predatory equaliser before heading the crucial last-gasp winner with the aid of a deflection off PSV’s Trent Sainsbury.

“We were just on the attack all the time,” said Kane. “In the end we managed to take a couple but I think we deserved it.

“We had to dig deep and find another level when it mattered. The whole season we’ve been grinding out results here and there.

“Obviously we’d like to be higher up the table in the league and doing better in the Champions League, but we’re still fighting.”

Spurs still face an uphill task to reach the knockout stage as they need to beat Inter Milan at home in their next Champions League clash and most likely Barcelona away on December 11.

“It’s another game we must win, we want to have the possibility to go to the next stage,” said Pochettino, who praised his players’ efforts after an arduous run of four games in eight days.

“The team is growing up. In these four games, three victories, we lost to Man City and I think the draw was more the fair result.

“Pleased of course, we’re always trying to improve, but with all the circumstances the team is fighting.”

The Serbian has also picked two Bangkok Glass midfielders, Thitipan Puangchan as and Tanaboon Kesarat, as vice-captains for the biennial soccer event, which Thailand have won five times in the past 10 occasions.

The 31-year-old centre-back Chalermpong was first given the captain’s armband during last month’s friendly with Hong Kong, which Thailand won 1-0.

“We chose Chalermpong because he is like the eldest brother of the team,” said the 64-year-old Rajevac. “He has extensive experience and has leadership skills. We believe he can lift the younger teammates well.”

Thailand, who are seeking a hat-trick of Suzuki Cup titles, are in Group B with Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste.

The Kingdom’s first game is against Leste at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Friday.

“Thitipan and Tanaboon also have long experience in the national team. So in case the first captain cannot perform his duties, either of them can take charge,” Rajevac added.

Chalermpong said: “This is the greatest honour for a football player. It’s hard to describe my feelings. This is the highligt of my career.”

The coach has also whittled down his squad of 27 to 23 – Kwanchai Suklom, Rattanakorn Maikami, Anon Amornlerdsak and Thai-Italian Marco Ballini were the unlucky four who did not make the cut.

“I picked the best 23 players I believe can deliver the best results. It’s not an easy decision to make as I’m happy with how all players have done so far,” Rajevac said.

He also said he had done some research on his Cup opponents but stressed that at the end of the day there was nothing more important than to play his own players to find their own style.

By choosing Mongkol Tossakrai, Thitiphan and Nurul Sriyankem, Rejavac’s midfield is regarded as the strongest part of the team but he says doing well will all come down to good teamwork.

“I personally believe in every department of my team. It’s very important to have all areas covered by quality players.  I have faith in the ability of my players but to win we will have to have good teamwork,” he said.