Barca to meet Real in semis

Barcelona: Holders Barcelona set up a King’s Cup semi-final date against arch-rivals Real Madrid after battling their way to a 4-2 return-leg win over a stubborn Malaga at the Rosaleda, on Thursday.

The La Liga leaders progressed 6-4 on aggregate, with goals from Pedro, Gerard Pique and late strikes from Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi putting them through after Malaga drew level twice.

The 2011 Cup winners Real host the first-leg of the semi-final at the Bernabeu next week, after Jose Mourinho’s side beat Valencia 3-1 on aggregate, inspite of having two players sent off on Wednesday’s 1-1 second-leg draw at the Mestalla.

Eden charged

London: Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was charged with violent conduct by the FA on Friday after this week’s bizarre clash with a ballboy who prevented him from retrieving the ball.

2nd Div League

Calcutta: The All India Football Federation has finalised 21 clubs, which includes Mohammedan Sporting, Kalighat MS and George Telegraph, participating in the second division league 2012-13. The top two clubs will qualify to play in the next edition’s I-League.

Another blow

New Delhi: Fencing Association of India (FAI) became the third national sports federation (NSF) to bear the brunt of politics in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) when it was banned by the world body in Switzerland.

New coach

Calcutta: The Indian cricket team’s former mental conditioning coach, Paddy Upton has been appointed as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals.

Finch recalled

Calcutta: Australia brought batsman Aaron Finch back into the ODI squad for the first two Internationals against the West Indies next month.

The squad: Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, Aaron Finch, Moises Henriques, Phillip Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

Cricket meet

Calcutta: The 2012-13 Airtel BCCI Corporate tournament for the Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy will be played from February 1 to 8. Sixteen teams have been divided into four groups of four each.

Shiv ruled out

Calcutta: The England under-19 captain Shiv Thakor has been ruled out of the squad’s current tour to South Africa due to a broken finger sustained during a practice match.
The Leicestershire batsman is expected to be out of action for up to six weeks, as Northamptonshire’s Ollie Stone will lead the side for the remainder of the tour.

sportsdesk & agencies