ARFY Qhairant Amran ended Malaysia's four-year gold drought in the Asian Junior Cycling Championships when the 17-year-old overwhelmed Japan's Kenta Nagao in the 200m sprint final in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand yesterday.

It was, however, another disappointing outing for elite rider Azizul Hasni Awang, who was beaten to the Asian Championships keirin gold medal by Japan's Kota Asai, while compatriot Josiah Ng pipped him to the silver in a photo-finish.

Azizul, 22, had earlier beaten China's Zhang Lei in the 200m sprint bronze medal race, shortly before Japan's Kitatsuru Tsubasa beat Zhang's younger brother Zhang Miao for the gold.

This is the second straight Asian Championships from which Azizul returns without a gold medal, while Malaysia closed the campaign with just Rizal Tisin's 1km time trial gold in the senior event.

The total tally of one gold, one silver and three bronze medals from the senior squad in track events did, however, mark an improvement from the disastrous outing in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates last year.

Thailand proved to be a favourable hunting ground for Malaysia in the junior section, with Arfy's gold medal the first for the country since Syamil Baharum's 1km time trial gold medal at the Hua Mark Velodrome in Bangkok in 2007..

Arfy said he planned for the final with Azizul and had entered yesterday's race well aware of Nagao's strengths.

"I dedicate this victory to my parents in Masjid Tanah. I was confident entering the final thanks to advice and guidance from Azizul," said Arfy.

"We studied videos of Nagao's earlier races and from there I identified his weaknesses and strengths. Azizul gave me a few tips and that's why I managed to win in straight match sprints."

Jupha Somnet won her third bronze medal, to add to her tally that includes one silver, from the women's junior keirin, while teammate Loretta Eva Adrian finished fourth.

MADRID: Real Madrid showed real character to close the gap on leaders Barcelona to five points winning 1-0 at Espanyol on Sunday, despite playing virtually the whole match with 10 men after goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas was sent off after just 90 seconds.

Brazilian international leftback Marcelo scored the decisive goal on 23 minutes as Real took advantage of Barcelona's 1-1 draw against Sporting Gijon on Saturday to edge closer in the title race -- but it took a battling display from Real.

"Espanyol are a strong opponent and they always have fantastic support.

"Losing your goalkeeper in the second minute and giving a debut to another keeper was tough," said Real coach Jose Mourinho.

"The players were fantastic, though, and we deserved to win."

Asked about the five-point gap held by Barcelona, the Portuguese manager replied: "Five points is an advantage and I would like to be five points clear of second."

Real had collected one point from the last six on the road and got off to the worst possible start at the Cornella-El Prat with captain Casillas red-carded for a rash challenge outside the area.

Barely a minute and a half into the match, the keeper came out to stop Jose Callejon in his tracks on the edge of the box and the referee immediately brandished a red card.

Real boss Mourinho sacrificed Argentine winger Angel di Maria and substitute goalkeeper Antonio Adan, a 23-year-old from the youth academy, came on for an unexpected debut.

Elsewhere, Villarreal fell two points behind rivals Valencia in the Champions League race as they crashed to their second successive league defeat with a 1-0 loss at Deportivo Coruna.

Defender Alberto Lopo's goal on the hour sealed three vital points for Depor, who move out of the relegation zone, as Villarreal failed to score for the second consecutive game.

Villarreal, beaten at home by promoted Levante last time out, should have equalised in the 82nd minute but substitute Marco Ruben headed over from close range.

Depor move out of the relegation zone and are now three points clear of Osasuna, who replace them in the bottom three.

Villarreal stay fourth, seven points ahead of Athletic Bilbao, who were travelling to Real Mallorca for a late match yesterday.

Earlier, promoted duo Hercules and Levante did their hopes of staying in the Spanish top flight the world of good with wins over Real Zaragoza and Almeria respectively. -- AFP