22 WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2007 SPORTSCHINA DAILY INBRIEF Rebel Tian picks his SOCCER New arrival ready to fi ght Forme r Chi na goa l kee pe r retirement moment detained on drugs charges Former China goalkeeper Liu Swedish coach to . Yunfei has spent eight days “The sports bureau approved in jail for “taking part in wants to lead Domanski-Lyfors By Chen Xiangfeng the report about Tian’s retire- narcotics-related activities” in coaching career ment, which was submitted by a Shanghai hotel room, media women’s soccer Shaanxi Swimming Administra- reported on Tuesday. Tyresö FF 1989-93. Olympic diving champion Tian tive Center. The agreement was The 28-year-old former inter- team to success WU20 coach 1991-93 Liang announced his retirement reached by Tian himself and the national, currently without Assistant coach women’s late Monday, and true to form the center. The bureau respects and a club after walking out on By Chen Xiangfeng national team 1992-96 issue swiftly descended into con- approves it,” he said. Shanghai Shenhua last sea- Women’s national team troversy. “Now the issue is over... It is in son, was released last Friday coach September 1996-June Tian’s retirement, confi rmed the interests of the nation.” after paying an undisclosed The uncertainty surrounding 2005 by Shaanxi’s sports bureau of- Tian spoke to Titan Sports af- fi ne, Shanghai police told China’s women’s soccer team Women’s U-21 coach from fi cial, came on the same day the ter the announcement, but said Xinhua News Agency. appears to be over following August 2005 World Championships wrapped his reasons would have to wait. Liu played for China when the appointment of a new head Achievements: Women’s up in Melbourne with China “It is not the time yet. At this they reached the Asian Cup coach. World Cup 1999 and 2003 fi nishing with nine out of ten time, we should be focused on fi nal on home soil in 2004. The China Football Associa- (runners-up), Olympics 2000 diving gold medals. The one the world championships rather His disparaging comments tion (CFA) announced yesterday & 2004, European Champion- title that the team missed out on than me. If you have the patience, about his team’s opponents that Marika Domanski-Lyfors ships 1997, 2001 (runners-up) was Tian’s speciality, the 10m try to reach me after two weeks. before the fi nal contributed to would lead the team until and 2005. platform. I will tell you everything,” said an air of hostility towards the the end of 2008, taking over China’s top diving official Tian. Japanese, which manifested it- from caretaker coach Wang Zhou Jihong attempted to dis- , who won two self in crowd trouble in Haiming. miss the announcement, saying golds this week, has been after China’s defeat. “I am so happy and proud to Marika Domanski-Lyfors arrives at Beijing Captial Airport on Monday. he had complete faith in the linked romantically with Tian be the head coach of the Chinese team’s current 10m divers. and the pair were known as 5-on-5 soccer contest team. We have to work hard until which they lost to Germany. A list of names linked to the of the new coach. But I believe “Whether he has retired or “Liang Jingjing” – “bright and kicks off nationwide the World Cup,” said Domanski- She stepped down after nine position included former French it will be a new beginning for not has nothing to do with me. brilliant” – after both won gold The nationwide Pepsi 5-on-5 Lyfors at a press conference in years as Sweden’s coach in 2005 national coach Elisabeth Loisel China’s women’s team,” he And also it at the Athens soccer championships for Wuhan, Hubei Province. but still works for the Swedish and Tina Theune-Meyer, who was quoted as saying on has nothing Games. juniors have gotten underway FIFA’s Women’s World Cup Football Federation and coaches guided Germany to victory at Sina.com to do with the Guo was and will run from April to takes place in China in six the under-21 side. the 2003 World Cup. Sun Wen, playmaker during world cham- also criti- August in 100 cities. months and Domanski-Lyfors “China’s women’s team is Domanski-Lyfors is the the team’s glory days in the late pionships. cised for her Considered an important will be under huge pressure very young and needs more sixth head coach in the past 1990s, is also looking forward So do not ask “commercial grassroots competition for after Chinese sport offi cials set experience. But they have great four years, and the first for- to a kickstart under the new me about his activities” but young players, the tournament the squad a minimum target of potential. I am confident we eign coach. coach. retirement. It returned to has been held for 8 years and a semifi nal fi nish. can work together to improve An appointment was sorely “I believe the new coach is an issue for the team a few hundreds of thousands soccer But the new boss is ready for the team.” needed as the team’s perfor- will bring something new to Shaanxi prov- months later fans have been involved. the challenge. The appointment of Doman- mances on the pitch were start- the team technically and tacti- ince,” Zhou after making Competitions in 16 regions “My main goal is to reach the ski-Lyfors ends months of ing to refl ect the chaos off it. cally,” she was quoted as saying was quoted an apology this year are expected to have semifi nals at the World Cup. speculation about the possible They lost all four games earlier on Sina.com. as saying by and is a fa- 200,000 participants and win- The team will have many warm- return of former head coach Ma this month in the Algarve Cup, “Maybe it will take some time Titan Sports. vorite for gold ners from every region will ups and training sessions. I am Liangxing, who took sick leave including an embarrassing 4-1 for players to get used to a new Tian, 27, was If you have the at the Beijing slug it out in August’s national confi dent we will do a good job amid rumors of a falling out loss to Iceland. coach. But I have confi dence the dubbed the Olympics next fi nals. in the preparation. with offi cials. Ma, whose future the CFA is girls will solve all the problems “diving prince” patience, try to August. The national champion will “I was under a lot of pressure Earlier this month, well- yet to clarify, said a reshuffl e before the World Cup.” after winning reach me after two But Tian be rewarded with a chance to when I coached Sweden in the traveled German coach Eckhard of the coaching team would The nation’s former top player two Olympic refused to visit English premier league fi nal of the last World Cup, so Krautzun, who was considered get women’s soccer back on and FIFA’s Women’s Player of golds, three weeks. I will tell you apologize for giants Chelsea. I know I can face it all,” said a candidate for the top job, track. the Century had also expressed world titles everything. his behaviour, Pepsi has been making efforts Domanski-Lyfors, who led Swe- stepped down as an adviser to “At this moment, I cannot her desire to take the coaching and 15 World and his chanc- to organize soccer-related den to the 2003 World Cup fi nal, the team. say anything about the ability position. Cups in his es of compet- campaigns for youngsters in career, but was Retired diving champion ing for his past years, including the 2004 exiled in 2004 country again Ronaldinho China Tour, 2005 for “taking were receding Thierry Henry China Tour and part in too many commercial fast before the announcement. 2006 Pepsi World Challenge. activities.” “I can tell you the national ’s Fu hustles favorite Hendry In Melbourne his replace- team and I did nothing wrong. OLYMPICS ments Zhou Lvxin and I think the reasons of both sides SNOOKER sistent as he used to be.” said. “Before I couldn’t imagine his underpants, he was docked were beaten into second and make sense. But I do not know 500-day countdown Hendry had come from 3-1 six Chinese players winning two frames and eventually third place by Russian Gleb what the result will be,” he said. celebrated at hotel By Zhao Rui down to lead 4-3 thanks to their matches against those lost 5-3. Galperin. Support for Tian’s return has To mark the 500-day count- breaks of 108, 53 and 54. The veteran professionals. I know This time, the player cur- When asked how the plan to come from surprising quarters. down to the opening of the Scot looked set for victory in the they train very hard and make rently second in the provisional develop young divers in 10m A proposal was made by 2008 Beijing , Marco Fu caused the biggest up- next after a run of 58. progress tournament by tourna- rankings behind Ken Doherty, platform would be affected by lawyer Han Deyun and 20 rep- the Beijing Sports Press As- set so far at the China Open in But Fu knocked in a long red ment. I feel great about this.” is sure to fare better. their failure, Zhou insisted that resentatives from Tian’s native sociation and the Grand View Beijing yesterday by defeating and compiled a superb 72 clear- Graeme Dott, the 2006 “I don’t usually do well in this he still had confidence in his Municipality and Garden Hotel hosted a get- world No 1 Stephen Hendry. ance, fi nding his target with sev- World Championships winner, event but I’m determined to do teenager divers. sent to the Fifth Session of the together for celebrities from The 28-year-old from Hong eral awkward pots including the enjoyed smooth progress with so this time,” said Dott. “I have “I know what you want me to Tenth National People’s Congress sports circles, painters and Kong managed a brilliant last red along the side cushion a 5-2 defeat of Thailand’s James a chance to be world No 1 next say. What I can tell you is I trust (NPC) early this month, claiming calligraphers, and journalists. clearance in the eighth frame into a baulk corner. Wattana. season so it was crucial to win Zhou Lvxin and Lin Yue. They Tian should be allowed to be a Those taking part included on his way to a famous 5-4 win The World Championships The Scot made a 62 clearance this match.” have the ability and potential to national team member and win Yang Ling, two-time Olympic over the title favourite. semifinalist then clinched to take the fi rst frame and a 99 John Higgins came from 2-1 stand on top of the podium. De- glory for the country. running target champion. “I felt confi dent because I pre- victory in the decider with a to go 3-0 up. Wattana got back to down to beat Ian McCulloch, feat happens. Even Guo Jingjing A survey on Sina.com after The participants lauded pared well for the match,” said break of 63. 3-2 with 83 and 73 but Dott took finishing with breaks of 61, made mistakes at last year’s his retirement was announced Beijing’s preparations and world No 22 Fu. “Even in the Along with Fu, seven Chi- the next two with 75 and 46. 110 and 82. World Cup. showed the majority of people predicted a strong Chinese last frame I felt calm. I won my nese players made it into the Dott endured a nightmare at Neil Robertson, aiming to “Whether the result was good were in support of Tian. performance for next year’s world qualifi er (against Michael event’s main draw, something the 2002 China Open when he win his third ranking event of or not, it was a great chance to Of the 14,400 voters 49.4 per- Olympics. Judge) 10-9 so I know I can deal that pleased the Hongkonger missed his connecting flight the season, recovered from the test them and help them gain cent believe authorities should An avid participant in China’s with the pressure. When I had greatly. then overslept before his open- loss of the fi rst frame to beat more experience.” have given Tian another chance, sports development, the hotel my chance I took it. “I’m very happy to see the ing match against Darren Mor- Michael Holt 5-1. The Austral- The chief of Shaanxi’s sports while another 25.7 percent feel pledges to do its part when “Stephen is still a great player young talent coming through, gan. Despite getting dressed so ian made a 141 in frame four, bureau Li Minghua confi rmed he is still the best men’s diver in Beijing hosts the world. on his day but he is not as con- it is so encouraging for us,” he quickly that he forgot to put on equalling his career best. Tian’s retirement late Monday the country. Swimmer Qi left short of breath by lofty training ideas SWIMMING and 19.05 seconds was 7.13 was terrible. “It might have Ye Jin, who regretted the “She had never been out of seconds slower than her gold something to do with the new decision to attempt the new gear in such a way. We won’t MELBOURNE: Chinese swim- winning time at the Doha Asian training methods.” method. take the risk of trying new mer Qi Hui has blamed bizarre Games last December. The new training methods Ye said that Qi always felt training methods again, espe- training methods for her poor “My form has been incon- were described by coaches as tired while training in Shang- cially before major events. It form at the World Champion- sistent since I started training “living in the plateau, training hai: “She failed to make any was a costly error.” ships in Melbourne. with new methods,” said Qi on the plain.” progress, and lost her normal Qi is scheduled to take part After 2004 Athens Olym- after her disappointing open- In order to achieve a break- level.” in the 200 meters breaststroke pic champion Luo Xuejuan’s ing race. through, the promising Qi was Although Qi got a few weeks preliminary tomorrow and the retirement in January, the “My muscles was totally brought to Shanghai, where she to recover from the after effects 400 meters individual medley 22-year-old was regarded as stiff during the competition lived in a room imitating pla- of her plateau life ahead of the on Sunday. China’s best medal hope at and I just found that I dropped teau conditions, in other words World Championships, she The suffering swimmer said the Championships. behind the other swimmers by with reduced levels of oxygen, was still not herself while in she had no idea if she would feel To almost everyone’s sur- half a body length at the begin- but she trained in normal pool Melbourne. better before the race, but she prise, Qi fi nished in a woeful ning of the race.” conditions. “She didn’t feel comfortable. said that she would of course 25th position in the 200 meters Zhang Yadong, head coach “She never performed well She could not exert all her try her upmost to win. individual medley heats on Sun- of the Chinese swimming during the three-week train- strength during the race,” said Qi Hui day. Her result of two minutes team, admitted that Qi’s form ing period,” said Qi’s coach coach Ye. Xinhua SCOREBOARD

NBA Milwaukee 25 44 .362 19 1/2 Tuesday’s games Tampa Bay 41 31 4 235 240 86 Tuesday’s games Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-4, 7-6 (8/6); Roger NEW YORK: Results of the NBA games on Southeast Division Cleveland at Indiana Carolina 38 29 8 225 224 84 Pittsburgh at Washington Federer (SUI x1) bt Nicolas Almagro (ESP) Monday (home teams in cAPS): Miami 38 32 .543 - Dallas at New Orleans at Oklahoma City Florida 31 30 14 222 239 76 Florida at Tampa Bay 7-5, 6-3; Guillermo Canas (ARG) bt Richard BOSTON 95 Toronto 87 Washington 37 32 .536 1/2 Seattle at Minnesota Washington 26 37 13 224 270 65 Boston at Ottawa Gasquet (FRA x15) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3; Jarkko Orlando 94 NY KNICKS 89 Orlando 33 38 .465 5 1/2 Memphis at LA Lakers Western Conference NY Rangers at Montreal Nieminen (Fin) bt David Nalbandian (Arg Atlanta 27 45 .375 12 Central Division Carolina at Toronto x11) 6-4, 7-6(3); Ivan Ljubicic (Cro x7) bt MIAMI 106 Atlanta 89 NHL Charlotte 26 45 .366 12 1/2 Nashville 48 21 7 255 197 103 DETROIT 113 Denver 109 (OT) NEW YORK: Result of the NHL game on New Jersey at NY Islanders Fabrice Santoro (Fra) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Detroit 46 19 11 233 188 103 CHICAGO 100 Portland 89 Western Conference Monday (home teams in CAPS): Calgary at Minnesota Women’s 4th rd St. Louis 31 32 12 195 232 74 HOUSTON 106 Milwaukee 87 Northwest Division DETROIT 1 Anaheim 0 Edmonton at Nashville Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) bt Mara Santan- UTAH 103 Washington 97 Utah 46 24 .657 - Standings Columbus 31 37 7 188 228 69 Columbus at St. Louis gelo (ITA) 6-1, 7-5; Nadia Petrova (RUS x6) PHOENIX 105 Memphis 87 Denver 35 34 .507 10 1/2 Eastern Conference Chicago 27 39 9 185 239 63 Phoenix at Dallas bt Dinara Safi na (RUS) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4; Justine San Antonio 126 GOLDEN STATE 89 Minnesota 30 39 .435 15 1/2 Atlantic Division Northwest Division Vancouver at Colorado Henin (BEL x2) bt Vera Zvonareva (RUS) Standings Portland 29 42 .408 17 1/2 W L Otl GF Ga Pts Vancouver 45 23 7 203 185 97 Los Angeles at San Jose 6-3, 6-2; Tathiana Garbin (ITA) bt Agniszka Eastern Conference Seattle 27 42 .391 18 1/2 Minnesota 45 24 7 221 183 97 Radwanska (POL) 6-4, 6-2; (CHN) bt New Jersey 44 23 8 197 187 96 TENNIS Atlantic Division Pacifi c Division Pittsburgh 43 23 10 259 229 96 Calgary 40 25 10 239 205 90 Kim Clijsters (BEL x4) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2; Nicole W L PCT GB Phoenix 53 17 .757 - NY Rangers 39 28 9 219 198 87 Colorado 39 29 7 251 233 85 ATP/WTA Miami Vaidisova (Cze x8) bt Vera Dushevina (Rus) Toronto 38 32 .543 - LA Lakers 38 32 .543 15 NY Islanders 36 27 12 225 218 84 Edmonton 31 38 7 186 229 69 MIAMI: Results on Monday from the sixth 6-2, 6-4; Shahar Peer (Isr x14) bt Svetlana New Jersey 32 38 .457 6 LA Clippers 34 36 .486 19 Philadelphia 20 44 11 194 280 51 Pacifi c Division day of the $6.9 million WTA and ATP Kuznetsova (Rus x3) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. NY Knicks 30 40 .429 8 Golden State 33 39 .458 21 Northeast Division Anaheim 44 20 12 240 195 100 Masters Series hardcourt tournament (x Women’s 3rd rd Philadelphia 28 42 .400 10 Sacramento 30 40 .429 23 Buffalo 48 20 7 282 224 103 Dallas 45 24 6 204 183 96 denotes seed): Serena Williams (USA) bt Lucie Safarova Boston 21 49 .300 17 Southwest Division Ottawa 45 23 8 267 207 98 San Jose 46 26 4 235 185 96 Men’s 3rd rd (Cze x23) 6-3. 6-4. Central Division Dallas 58 11 .841 - Montreal 39 31 6 225 235 84 Los Angeles 26 36 14 215 261 66 Amer Delic (USA) bt Nikolay Davydenko Detroit 45 25 .643 - San Antonio 50 20 .714 8 1/2 Toronto 36 29 10 232 242 82 Phoenix 29 41 5 201 259 63 (RUS x4) 7-6 (7/5), 6-3; Radek Stepanek Cleveland 42 28 .600 3 Houston 45 26 .634 14 Boston 34 35 6 206 265 74 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one (CZE) bt Alejandro Falla (COL) 6-3, 6-2; To comment or alert us to a story, Chicago 42 30 .583 4 N.O./ Oklahoma City 32 38 .457 26 1/2 Southeast Division point in the standings and are not included Tommy Robredo (ESP x6) bt Florian Meyer e-mail [email protected] Indiana 31 38 .449 13 1/2 Memphis 17 54 .239 42 Atlanta 39 27 10 229 232 88 in the loss column (L) (GER) 6-4, 6-4; Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) bt