MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013 SPORTS

Ashour rides wave of negative energy in world title bid

MANCHESTER: Ramy Ashour is seeking the national predicament were bearing Now, in an interview with The Squash Tahrir Square. think they have chances of upsetting to transcend negative energy from a him onwards to greater achievements. Player, Ashour this week alleges that his “I get good appreciation everywhere him. One is the Frenchman Gregory troubled Egypt by delivering a world “I train hard despite any obstacles I recent successes have all been victories I go and feel so happy when I see amaz- Gaultier, three times a runner-up, the US title defence which will highlight him as might face as an athlete or by living over “corrupted negative souls who ingly enthusiastic squash communities Open winner in Ashour’s absence, and the most dazzling new squash star in here in Egypt,” was how Ashour carefully were trying to bring me down”, and all around the world,” he responded, seeded second. Another is James two decades. described his preparation back in Cairo adds that he will continue doing his using his cosmopolitan identity to Willstrop, the runner-up three years ago, The champion from Cairo is returning for the sport’s biggest event. best “to keep my parents, my country, escape questions about the national who is seeded third, and a perennial to the scene of his career’s first major tri- Decoded, it means he has to keep and people who truly support me agony. rival of his fellow Yorkshireman, Nick umph next week to purvey sensational those obstacles out of his mind if he is proud.” “This season I went to some beautiful Matthew, twice the world champion, skills which have shone more brightly as to remain mentally strong enough to That best has certainly been remark- countries which I loved-Colombia, and the last man to beat Ashour. At the his country’s crisis has deepened. succeed. able. Ashour has extended an unbeaten Argentina, Korea, Malaysia and age of 33 Matthew is seeded fourth. Five years ago an unpredictable These became all too painfully evi- run to 45 matches, inducing compar- Singapore. And then San Francisco is an The other two are both Egyptians- young Ashour won the world title for dent while Ashour was becoming the isons with the legendary Khans of amazing place-and I won there.” Which the sixth seeded Mohamed El the first time in Manchester; on Monday, first Egyptian in nearly half a century to Pakistan who dominated squash in the led him logically to Manchester. “This is Shorbagy, aged only 22, who came as an emerging superstar, he will begin win the British Open earlier in the year. 80s and 90s. also a very special place as it’s where I within three points of beating Ashour his bid to retain it in the same city hav- “There was a lot of negative energy Asked again about the mood of fel- won my first world title, and this is a in last year’s final, and the eighth-seed- ing triumphed again in Doha in 2012. around me,” he volunteered then. “I low Egyptians, the 26-year-old resisted good omen for me,” Ashour concluded. ed Amr Shabana, the 34-year-old The Egyptian will be aided by the experienced waking up each day with becoming sucked into a mire of emo- He is now the strongest favourite squash legend who beat Ashour in the momentum of an unbeaten 17-month such a heavy heart and heavy spirit. I tions which in the past have helped since Jansher Khan won the last of his 2009 final to capture the last of his four run. It is as if an emotional wave from had a lot of hard times.” motivate him to join protesters in Cairo’s eight world titles in 1996. Five men may world titles. —AFP Brassard’s OT goal gives Rangers win over Detroit

DETROIT: Derick Brassard’s break- away goal in the closing seconds of overtime gave the New York Rangers a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. Brassard scored his first of the sea- son with only 12.9 seconds show- ing on the OT clock to give the Rangers their first win in Detroit since Jan. 30, 1999. Benoit Pouliot had a goal and an assist and Mats Zuccarello also scored for New York, which rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the final game of its season-opening, nine-game road trip. Cam Talbot stopped 32 shots while filling in for injured regular Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers (3-6), who went to overtime for the first time this sea- son, will host Montreal in the opener at renovated Madison Square Garden on Monday. Drew Miller and Daniel Alfredsson scored for Detroit, which lost its fourth straight. Jimmy Howard made 37 saves. NAIROBI: Kenyan Winfridah Kwamboka (R) runs before winning the women’s full in Nairobi yesterday. — AFP DEVILS 4, BRUINS 3 Marek Zidlicky and Andy Greene scored power-play goals CALGARY: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals eyes a shot from the Calgary Flames during an Kipruto wins Frankfurt 23 seconds apart late in the third NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the period and New Jersey snapped a Capitals 5-2. —AFP Marathon in sweep seven-game losing streak against goal of the year. right-pad save on Pascal Dupuis FLAMES 5, CAPITALS 2 Boston. Torey Krug, Jarome Iginla Couture doubled the Sharks’ on a 2-on-1 rush and used a quick Mike Cammalleri scored two FRANKFURT: led a Kenyan taking drugs,” he told AFP. and Milan Lucic scored first-period lead at 4:09 of the third when glove hand to make a series of goals to lead Calgary snapped sweep of the top five at the Frankfurt “We are very serious on the doping goals for Boston (7-3). Patrick Marleau’s dump-in saves while the Leafs were again Washington’s three-game winning Marathon yesterday. In wet and windy con- issue,” he said, pointing to international- Adam Henrique and Damien bounced off the glass and landed being outshot. Nazem Kadri and streak. With the Flames leading 3- ditions, the 26-year-old Kipruto edged standard testing facilities also in place for Brunner also had power-play goals on Couture’s stick in front of a gap- Phil Kessel also scored for Toronto. 2, Cammalleri scored an insurance Mark Kiptoo by one second to finish in 2 the Nairobi marathon, a race used by many for the struggling Devils. Martin ing net. goal for Calgary at 10:17 of the hours, 6 minutes, 16 seconds. hopefuls to attract sponsors and as a step- Brodeur stopped 25 shots after a JETS 2, STARS 1, SO third period, firing a shot from Elijah Kemboi was third in 2:07:34, fol- ping-stone to major international road rough start. Iginla and David Krejci COYOTES 5, OILERS 4 Andrew Ladd scored the only deep in the corner that eluded lowed by Jacob Chesari and Albert races. “This shows a lot of transparency, each had two assists as Boston Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored on goal in the shootout, Ondrej goaltender Michal Neuvirth. Matebor. Feyisa Bekele of Ethiopia was the we’re not trying to hide anything. built a 3-1 lead. a power play in the third period Pavelec made 35 saves and Until that point, Neuvirth had fastest non-Kenyan, finishing more than 3 “Doping is a problem, a big concern after Keith Yandle made a spectac- Winnipeg beat Dallas to snap a been perfect since entering the minutes behind Kipruto. worldwide, not only Kenya. I must say that, FLYERS 5, ISLANDERS 2 ular play to keep the puck in the three-game skid. Evander Kane game at 12:50 of the first period. It was the 12th consecutive time the without being biased, that most of the Vinny Lecavalier scored three zone, lifting Phoenix over scored at 3:28 of the second for He was summoned when was won by a Kenyan. Kenyans, they win very clean. That does not goals in Philadelphia’s biggest Edmonton. the Jets, who played past regula- Cammalleri’s first goal, a deflection The adverse weather ensured Wilson mean we are condoning doping. If you are offensive outburst of the season, Phoenix scored three goals in of a point shot from Dennis Kipsang’s 2011 course record of 2:03:42 found to have committed an offence you tion for the third straight game and Steve Mason made 26 saves in the first six minutes of the second Wideman, made it 3-1 and resulted remained safe. will be punished accordingly.” and fourth in the past five. the victory over New York. period against former teammate in Capitals coach Adam Oates Caroline Kilel gave Kenya success in the Thirteen Kenyan athletes-none of them Stephane Robidas pulled Dallas The Flyers (3-7) hadn’t scored Jason LaBarbera to go up 3-1, but pulling starter Braden Holtby. women’s race too. The 2010 winner finished big names-tested positive between even at 6:36 of the third and Kari more than two goals in any of their Edmonton rallied to take the lead Calgary put the game away at in 2:22:35, ahead of compatriot Flomena January 2012 and 2013, and last year the first nine games. One more and Lehtonen had 37 saves for Dallas, Chepchirchir and Birhane Dibaba of country was top of the IAAF’s list of most- with three goals spanning the sec- including four in the final minute 14:28 of the third on the first goal they would have become the first ond and third periods. in seven games for Curtis Ethiopia. tested nations, a standing touted by offi- NHL team to have a season-open- of overtime. Meanwhile, a top Kenyan sports official cials here as proof the measures were seri- Ekman-Larsson set up Yandle After Lane MacDermid hit the Glencross.Kris Russell and Jiri ing run of 10 games without three for the tying goal midway through Hudler also scored for the Flames, said yesterday the country’s legendary dis- ous. “Athletics is very important in the post and Alex Chiasson was goals since the 1940 New York the third with his second assist, who were back at home after a 1- tance athletes were running clean and that sense that it is the only sport that sells stuffed easily by Pavelec in the Americans. then beat LaBarbera with a shot 4-0 road trip. Jason Chimera and the fight against doping in the country was Kenya worldwide. It’s really marketing shootout, Ladd beat Lehtonen on Philadelphia has won two from the point after Yandle dove Aaron Volpatti scored for both tough and transparent. Kenya worldwide. Most of our athletes are straight since a franchise-worst 1-7 the glove side. The Jets got the win Speaking on the sidelines of the annual good ambassadors,” Okeyo said. to keep the puck in Edmonton’s Washington. start. Jakub Voracek and Matt Read when Ray Whitney missed wide. Nairobi marathon, a showcase for the Okeyo admitted the biggest challenge zone. also scored, and former Islanders depth and quantity of Kenyan talent, was educating local athletes, many of Michael Stone and David BLUES 6, PREDATORS 1 captain Mark Streit added two WILD 5, BLACKHAWKS 3 Athletics Kenya’s vice president David whom he said were unaware of the prob- Schlemko also scored for the Alexander Steen scored two assists. Kyle Okposo and Frans Niklas Backstrom made 33 Okeyo said running was far too important lem. “Somebody says I am coughing, so Coyotes, who had four goals and goals to lead St. Louis over Nielsen had goals, and Kevin saves in his first win of the season for Kenya’s international image and econo- they get an over-the-couter medicine, and three assists from their defense- Nashville. T.J. Oshie, Jaden and Minnesota defeated Chicago my to be allowed to be ruined by cheats. they race and test positive. It is happening Poulin made 27 saves for the men. Martin Hanzal added his Schwartz, Derek Roy and Alex “The impression that Kenyans are win- because of ignorance,” he said. “The top Islanders. third goal in two games and Radim in a rematch of their first-round Pietrangelo also scored for the ning because they are taking performance brass athletes are well informed. The major- Vrbata had three assists. playoff series. Blues, who had lost three of four. enhancing drugs, it is not correct. There are ity of the less-known athletes are not. But LIGHTNING 3, SABRES 2 Ryan Jones, David Perron, Will Jason Pominville had two goals Nick Spaling scored for Nashville, isolated cases... and it does not mean that ignorance is not a defence so we have to Ondrej Palat and Martin St. Acton and Tyler Pitlick scored for in his 600th career game and which has lost two of three. all Kenyans are winning because they are educate them.” — Agencies Louis scored third-period goals to the Oilers. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Minnesota earned its third consec- Steen scored the game’s first help Tampa Bay rally past Buffalo. added two assists. utive win. Zach Parise, Kyle goal at 5:27 of the opening period. After St. Louis pulled the Lightning Brodziak and Justin Fontaine also Oshie and Schwartz scored 4:02 Smith demands respect for even at 14:09, Palat made it 3-2 MAPLE LEAFS 4, PENGUINS 1 scored for the Wild, and Ryan Suter apart in the second period to send from the low slot 1:46 later. Tyler Dave Bolland scored two goals and Mikael Granlund had two the Blues into the second intermis- S Africa’s kings of the road Johnson had the other Tampa Bay and James Reimer had 37 saves to assists apiece. sion up 3-0. goal as the Lightning completed a lead Toronto past Pittsburgh. Bryan Bickell scored for the Spaling scored his first of the DUBAI: South Africa captain Graeme of the United Arab Emirates was creditable. seven-game homestand with a 5- Making his first start since Oct. 17, fourth consecutive game for the season with a short-handed goal Smith, whose team have not lost an away “This is the first match they have lost in 2 record. when he left with a head injury Blackhawks, who had recorded at less than a minute into the third, series for seven years, believes the Proteas these conditions. They had England come Brian Flynn and Thomas Vanek after 32 seconds, Reimer was stel- least one point in each of their but the Blues put the game out of deserve more respect for their achieve- here as world number one Test team and scored for Buffalo, which was com- lar after giving up a power-play past seven games. Patrick Kane reach after Steen scored his sec- ments on the road. we travelled here in 2010,” said Smith of ing off a 3-1 win at Florida on goal to Kris Letang at 6:52 of the added his team-best sixth goal in ond of the game at 4:37 and Roy Their emphatic innings and 92-run win Pakistan’s 3-0 whitewash of England last Friday night in which the Sabres first. Reimer made a highlight-reel the third period. followed at 7:48. — AP in the second Test over Pakistan in Dubai year. were outshot 45-21. Buffalo took a on Saturday, which levelled the series at 1- South Africa drew a two-match series 0- 2-1 lead when Vanek scored from 1, also allowed them to enhance their Test 0 in 2010. Pakistan’s defeat against South the low left circle after taking a NHL results/standings number one status. Africa was their first in the UAE in 10 Tests. nifty pass from Marcus Foligno 12:46 into the third. Vanek has 24 Since their 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in 2006, “I think their batters are far more com- Phoenix 5, Edmonton 4; New Jersey 4, Boston 3; Toronto 4, Pittsburgh 1; San Jose 2, Montreal 0; NY Rangers 3, Detroit 2 (OT); Tampa South Africa have travelled to India (twice), fortable in these conditions with less pace goals and 39 points in 33 games Bay 3, Buffalo 2; Philadelphia 5, NY Islanders 2; Winnipeg 2, Dallas 1 (SO); Minnesota 5, Chicago 3; St. Louis 6, Nashville 1; algaryC 5, United Arab Emirates to play Pakistan and bounce. They always play spin really against Tampa Bay. Washington 2. (twice), England (twice), Australia (twice) well, they seem to be comfortable even Western Conference Eastern Conference and once to New Zealand, Pakistan, though Imran bowled well,” said Smith of SHARKS 2, CANADIENS 0 Pacific Division Atlantic Division WL OTLGFGAPTS Toronto 8 4 0 40 30 16 Bangladesh and the West Indies, not losing leg-spinner Imran Tahir who took eight Antti Niemi made 22 saves, Boston 7 3 0 30 17 14 a series. “I think we have got a lot to do to wickets in Dubai, including a career best 5- Logan Couture scored twice and San Jose 9 1 1 43 18 19 Tampa Bay 7 3 0 35 28 14 be compared with great teams, but for us 32 in the first innings. San Jose beat Montreal for the first Vancouver 8 4 1 38 37 17 Detroit 6 4 2 27 33 14 time in four attempts at the Bell Anaheim 8 3 0 35 28 16 Montreal 6 5 0 33 22 12 to have that record away from home is an “It’s his first trip here and it was great to Ottawa 4 4 2 28 27 10 extremely proud one to have,” said Smith, see him bowl,” said Smith of Tahir who was Centre since December 2002. Phoenix 7 3 2 40 39 16 Los Angeles 7 4 0 33 29 14 Florida 3 7 1 23 38 7 Carey Price made 35 saves for Buffalo 2 10 1 20 37 5 now in his 10th year as captain. born and brought up in Pakistan before Calgary 5 4 2 34 39 12 Montreal. After a scoreless first Metropolitan Division “I don’t think many teams in current moving to South Africa. Edmonton 3 8 1 35 48 7 Pittsburgh 7 4 0 35 28 14 world cricket can travel as well as we do Smith also praised Tahir’s comeback period in which San Jose outshot Central Division Carolina 4 4 3 25 33 11 and be able to perform in all the condi- after the slow bowler was mauled in his last Montreal 11-8, Couture scored a Colorado 9 1 0 32 14 18 NY Islanders 4 4 3 35 36 11 Columbus 5 5 0 28 25 10 tions, the pressures, the environments that Test in Australia in 2011. “I think he showed power-play goal at 6:20 of the sec- Chicago 6 2 3 34 32 15 Washington 5 6 0 32 35 10 you face on the road. an immense amount of character to ond period. Minnesota 6 3 3 29 26 15 New Jersey 2 5 4 24 36 8 “I certainly don’t think the team gets bounce back from his performance in Captain Joe Thornton sent a St. Louis 6 1 2 35 23 14 NY Rangers 3 6 0 15 33 6 enough credit for that, it’s an immense Adelaide and it epitomises the type of precise pass onto Couture’s stick Nashville 6 5 1 23 32 13 Philadelphia 3 7 0 18 27 6 record and one we are proud of.” Smith said group we have, we have a group of players and the 24-year-old made no mis- Winnipeg 5 5 2 30 34 12 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the stand- that beating Pakistan in their new fortress who can respond,” said Smith. — AFP take from close range for his fifth Dallas 4 5 1 26 31 9 ings and are not included in the loss column (L).