Philippines wins its first Asian Winter Games medal, a curling gold

HARBIN, China (AP) — The Philippines curling team has been rocking it in Harbin, claiming the tropical country’s first Asian Winter Games medal with a victory in Friday’s men’s final against South Korea.

The team of Marc Pfister, Alan Frei, Christian Haller, Enrico Pfister and alternate Benjo Delarmente took gold with a 5-3 win at Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena.

The Philippines Olympic Committee was quick to celebrate with a post on Instagram to mark the historic gold.

“This is the first-ever medal for the Philippines at the Asian Winter Games, and the highest achievement for a Southeast Asian athlete in the Games’ history! What an incredible accomplishment!” the post said. “You’ve made the entire country so proud!”

Curling gets its time to shine every four years at the Winter Olympics, where players sweeping a stone across the ice rink is screened around the world.

The Philippines was accepted a member association of the World Curling Federation in September, 2023 — along with Pakistan and Puerto Rico — and started a bid to qualify for the 2026 Olympics.

The men's team is based in Switzerland and skipped by Marc Pfister, who represented the Swiss at three world championships before switching countries.

He and his brother, Enrico Pfister, are among the four curlers who were born in Switzerland and are eligible to play for the Philippines through their Filipino mothers.

Teams from 34 countries stretching from Saudi Arabia in the west of the continent to Singapore and Philippines in the southeast, competed in 10 sports across 11 days at the Harbin Games that were due to finish Friday.

__

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

South Korea's Lee Jaebeom, center, plays against Philippines during the finals of men's curling at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippines' Alan Frei, right, and Christian Haller compete against South Korea during the finals of men's curling at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippines' Christian Haller, left, and Alan Frei compete against South Korea during the finals of men's curling at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippines Marc Pfister compete against South Korea during the finals of men's curling at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Zinedine Zidane watched again and Riyad Mahrez scored again as Algeria reached the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso on Sunday.

The 34-year-old Mahrez took his tally to three goals in two games with a penalty in the 23rd minute. The ball went one way, the goalkeeper the other, and it was enough for the Fennec Foxes to advance to the knockout stage with a maximum six points in Group E.

It came as a relief for the many Algeria fans who had made the relatively short trip to the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The team went out after the group stage in both editions after winning the 2019 title in Egypt.

The spot kick was awarded by referee Daniel Laryea Nii Ayi after Rayan Aït-Nouri tumbled as he was trying to go past Burkinabe defender Ismahila Ouédraogo.

Algeria dominated the ball and the Stallions had more chances without really troubling Zidane’s son Luca in the Algeria goal until he was tested by Lassina Traoré in the 83rd.

Cyriaque Irié might have equalized in stoppage time but his header went straight to the Algeria goalkeeper, who has been given a chance to shine for the country of his grandfather because of a knee injury to Alexandre Oukidja, who would likely have started.

There was a cheer when the big screens showed the senior Zidane, the France great, watching while well wrapped up against the cold. He was also present for Algeria's opening win over Sudan.

Algeria defender Samir Chergui, only recently back from a hamstring problem, had to go off before the hour-mark with what looked like another leg injury.

Burkina Faso stayed second in the group on three points, after its opening win over Equatorial Guinea.

Earlier, Sudan – which is playing despite a brutal war at home – revived its chances of progression with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca.

“Our ambition is to win the title, not just to achieve a single victory,” Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah said.

Sudan faces Burkina Faso in their final group game on Wednesday with a place in the last 16 at stake. The top two progress from each group, along with the best third-place finishers.

Defending champion Ivory Coast faces five-time winner Cameroon later in Group F, where Mozambique boosted its hopes of progression with a 3-2 win over Gabon.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Algeria's Riyad Karim Mahrez, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Burkina Faso in Fez, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Algeria's Riyad Karim Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Burkina Faso in Fez, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Algeria's Riyad Karim Mahrez controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Burkina Faso in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Algeria's goalkeeper Luca Zidane kicks the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Burkina Faso in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)