THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 SPORTS

US skating team gets Singapore hold Myanmar Gerrard criticism hugely medal fifty years later in AFF Suzuki Cup clash unfair, says Rodgers WASHINGTON: Fifty years after and skated at the SINGAPORE: Tournament favorites Thailand booked a spot in the semi- SOFIA: Under-fire Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard may not be enjoying his best Innsbruck Olympics, the American pair on Tuesday officially claimed the finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup after edging Malaysia 3-2 following a lengthy spell of form but he is still “a top class player”, manager Brendan Rodgers said. The bronze medal. Two years after the 1964 Games, the International Olympic weather delay on Wednesday, while co-hosts Singapore kick-started their 34-year-old midfielder has come in for particular criticism this season, with fans Committee had awarded the Joseph siblings the bronze medal after disclosing campaign with a nervy 4-2 win over Myanmar. questioning whether it is time for him to be dropped as a regular starter. that the West German pairs team had violated their amateur status by signing Heavy rain and lightning delayed kick-off on the artificial turf at the “People expect Steven to be the type of player he was 10 or 12 years ago,” a professional contract. Canadians Debbi Wilkes and moved up one Jalan Besar Stadium for two-and-a-half hours before the Thais were able Rodgers told a news conference at the Vasil Levski national stadium on Tuesday. spot to the silver medal, while the Josephs, who had finished to record their second win of the eight-team tournament thanks to a 90th “The player who scored 15 a season and made 13 or 14 assists. “But sadly that’s fourth in the competition, claimed bronze. minute winner by substitute striker Adisak Kraisorn. not the case. It’s hugely unfair he gets judged on that level. But in 1987, the IOC said Germans and Amri Yahyah had put the Malaysians ahead after a swift counter in the “I can safely say he’s the best player I’ve ever worked with. Hans-J¸rgen B‰umler were “rehabilitated” and quietly 28th minute only for Adisak to draw the Thais level three minutes before the His mentality, commitment and loyalty he’s shown to the foot- re-awarded their silver medals. The IOC never break with his first touch. A mazy dribble and neat low finish by Safiq Rahim ball club have been incredible. “It’s easy to manage him explained the medal consequences of its decision. On had the Malaysians back in front on the hour mark, but Charyl Chappuis because he’s a top class professional. He always accepts Tuesday, the IOC announced that the Germans and scored another equaliser before Adisak smashed in from an acute angle to what’s best for Liverpool.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Canadians are each silver-medal winners, while the win the game. Their second late winner, after having edged Singapore 2-1, Carragher this week added his voice to those calling for Americans are the bronze medalists in the pairs left the Thais on six points at the top of Group B in the Southeast Asian Gerrard not to be deployed as a defensive midfielder, saying event. “An Olympic medal is the ultimate sports championships with Myanmar to play on Saturday. Singapore host he has the ability to inject the team’s flagging attack with symbol of hard work, sacrifice and the persever- Malaysia in the Causeway derby needing only a point to also make it some much-needed inspiration. “Of course he’s coming to the ance of athletes, parents and coaches,” Vivian through to the last four. At the National Stadium, Singapore raced into a 3-0 latter part of his career but he still has a big contribution to and Ronald Joseph said in a statement. “We halftime lead thanks to two volleys from midfielder Harris Harun after make for me,” Rodgers added. “He can play three games a week are happy the issue of our medal has finally Shaiful Esah’s 15th minute whipped free kick had deceived everyone and but not to the level he would like or I would like so it’s up to been resolved.” — Reuters ended up in the corner of the net to open the scoring. —Reuters me to manage that.” —Reuters All Set for Mandela Cricket Cup in Kuwait

KUWAIT: The South African Embassy announced in a media tion was founded in 1996. In 1946 the first cricket game was statement that all arrangements are in place to host the first played in Kuwait in Magwa between the Kuwait Oil Company Nelson Mandela Cricket Cup for Youth Development in collabo- employees and those of the contracting companies. ration with Kuwait Cricket, the official governing body of Prominent local companies and sponsors who volunteered Cricket in the State of Kuwait. This one day cricket carnival will their support and assistance to ensure the success of the feature dedicated ten school teams and top young cricketers Mandela Cup include Golden International Logistics Group, Pro- and is scheduled to take place on 29 November 2014 at the Sports, Bon Voyage Travel and Tourism, Burgan Bank, Sultan Sulaibiya Cricket ground. Centre, IDS, Etihad Airways, Agility, Rotana Hotel, Kavaal According to South Africa’s Ambassador in Kuwait Delarey Security Systems Company and The Times of Kuwait. Van Tonder the Nelson Mandela Cup is aimed at honoring the Murali Kutticode Coordinator of the event and Director for positive international legacy of Nelson Mandela in accordance Cricket Development at Kuwait Cricket confirmed that the with resolutions of the United Nations and in support of South Sulaibiya Cricket Ground is in excellent condition and invited Africa’s international programme in celebrating the country’s Kuwait residents to attend this historic and entertaining event. first twenty years of Freedom and Democracy. In terms of the format of the Mandela Cup he indicated that In this regard Ambassador Van Tonder remarked “South the competing teams (9 players a side) will play seven over Africa is a Good Story. Throughout South Africa’s history sport matches (per side). has played an important role. The international sport sanctions Players are 16 years and younger. Winning teams will to isolate the apartheid regime and the vision by Nelson advance to the next round while losing teams will also continue Mandela of using sport to bring about social cohesion and to play a shorter version of limited overs. Many prizes will be national reconciliation in South Africa’s democratic transition presented to all players including the South African remain important milestones in the country’s history”. Ambassadors Floating Trophy as well as Man of the Match By hosting the Nelson Mandela Cup aimed at the further Awards, Player of the Series, best Batsman, Fielder and Bowler development of this great game among Kuwait’s youth we also and Wicket Keeper and Merit Awards for Sportsmanship. wish to pay tribute to His Highness the Amir of the State of The first match is scheduled to start at 07h30 with the final GLENDALE: Jarome Iginla No. 12 of the Colorado Avalancheskates with the puck during the second period of the Kuwait for his high recognition by the United Nations as a match to take place at 16h00 followed by the Award Ceremony. NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. — AFP Global Humanitarian Leader and in particular the constructive The following teams will participate: efforts by the Minister of Information and State Minister for 1. Future Stars Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al Salem Al-Hmoud Al- 2. FAIPS Titans Predators stop Kings march Sabah in actively promoting the linkages between sport and 3. Bhavan’s cricket youth development in Kuwait”. 4. Kuwait Pakistan XI NASHVILLE: James Neal scored the only off the stick of Coyotes forward Lauri Ducks and New Jersey Devils, spoiled Cricket is one of the fastest developing sports in Kuwait and 5. Cricket Coaching Club (CCC) goal of a six-round shootout to give the Korpikoski and squeezed past Smith at Frederik Andersen’s shutout bid with 8:58 Kuwait’s participation at the Asian Games is an historic event, 6. All Rounders XI Nashville Predators a 4-3 win over the Los 4:05 of the third period. remaining when T.J. Brodie beat him with a given the fact that Kuwait is the first Arab nation to achieve this 7. WKC- Young Masters (Comprising all women cricketers) Angeles Kings on Tuesday night. screened slap shot. Jiri Hudler made it 3-2 milestone. 8. Gladiators Craig Smith, Ryan Ellis and Eric Nystrom CANUCKS 2, DEVILS 0 with 25.4 seconds to play after Hiller was Kuwait Cricket is an associate member of the International 9. FAIPS Warriors scored in regulation for Nashville. In the Ryan Miller made 20 saves for his sec- pulled for an extra skater. Andersen made Cricket Council and a full member of the Asian Cricket Council 10. Bosco Blasters shootout, Neal beat Martin Jones with a ond shutout of the season, helping the 32 saves. and affiliated to the Kuwait Olympic Committee. The associa- 11. The English School wrist shot between the pads. Pekka Rinne Canucks beat New Jersey. Alex Burrows made 18 saves in regulation and overtime, and Shawn Matthias scored for the SENATORS 3, BLUES 2 and then stopped all six Kings shooters in Canucks, who have won three of four. Cory Erik Condra and Alex Chiasson scored the tiebreaker. Jamie McBain, Marian Schneider stopped 34 shots, but the Devils third-period goals for Ottawa. The Gaborik, and Drew Doughty scored for Los lost for the fourth time in five games. Senators, who had lost three of four and six Angeles, which has lost two straight. of eight, trailed by two goals. They were DUCKS 3, FLAMES 2 beaten at home by the Blues on Saturday. AVALANCHE 4, COYOTES 3 Corey Perry, Matt Beleskey and Kyle The Blues, who lost No. 1 goalie Brian Daniel Briere scored 3:16 into overtime, Palmieri staked Anaheim to a big lead, and Elliott to a lower-body injury late in the helping the Avalanche complete a come- the Ducks held on for their 19th straight second period, had won two straight and back from three goals down to get the home victory against Calgary. five of seven. They entered having allowed road win. Briere got help from the Coyotes’ The Flames haven’t won in Anaheim an NHL-best 2.0 goals per game behind the Martin Hanzal, who backhanded Briere’s since Jan. 19, 2004. Only three players who goalie tandem of Elliott and Jake Allen. pass past his own goalie, Mike Smith. played for Calgary in that game are active Elliott left with 6:02 remaining in the Colorado (8-9-5) won for the fourth time in in the NHL. Jonas Hiller, who spent his first second after his right leg bent backward five games after a goalie change in the first seven NHL seasons with Anaheim before during a scramble in the crease. The puck period. Arizona (9-11-3) absorbed another signing with Calgary in July, stopped 29 went in the net, but the goal was waved off late-game home loss. shots in his return. after a review. The Avalanche tied it at 3 when Matt The Flames, coming off a 4-1 homes- Duchene’s pass from behind the net went tand that included shootout wins over the JETS 4, BLUE JACKETS 2 Evander Kane scored two power-play goals, and Winnipeg held on for the road win. Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd each NHL results/standings had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Winnipeg 4, Columbus 2; Ottawa 3, St. Louis 2 (SO); Nashville 4, Los Angeles 3 Blake Wheeler and Jacob Trouba added (SO); Dallas 3, Edmonton 2; Colorado 4, Arizona 3 (OT); Vancouver 2, New two assists apiece. Rookie goalie Michael Jersey 0; Anaheim 3, Calgary 2. Hutchinson made 32 saves to improve to 4-1-1. Jordan Leopold and Ryan Johansen Western Conference Eastern Conference scored for the banged-up Blue Jackets, Pacific Division Atlantic Division who are on a franchise-record pace for W L OTL GF GA TS Montreal 16 6 1 61 57 33 games lost to injuries. Columbus, which Tampa Bay 14 6 2 77 60 30 Anaheim 14 4 5 63 56 33 entered tied for the fewest points in the Detroit 11 5 5 59 52 27 NHL, have lost four in a row and 13 of 15. Vancouver 15 6 1 67 61 31 Boston 13 9 1 59 57 27 Toronto 11 8 2 67 63 24 Calgary 13 8 2 73 64 28 STARS 3, OILERS 2 Los Angeles 11 6 5 60 53 27 Ottawa 10 7 4 58 56 24 Florida 7 6 6 41 51 20 Tyler Seguin scored two goals to give San Jose 10 9 4 62 64 24 Buffalo 6 13 2 36 70 14 him an NHL-leading 17 for Dallas, and Arizona 9 11 3 57 71 21 Metropolitan Division rookie defenseman John Klingberg added Edmonton 6 14 2 51 77 14 Pittsburgh 14 4 2 72 46 30 a goal from center ice and an assist. The Stars have won three in a row for Central Division NY Islanders 15 6 0 69 57 30 NY Rangers 9 7 4 57 58 22 the first time this season. Edmonton, last in Nashville 14 5 2 61 45 30 Washington 9 8 3 56 54 21 the Western Conference, is 0-6-1 in its last St. Louis 14 6 2 59 46 30 New Jersey 9 10 3 53 63 21 seven games. Seguin scored to break a 1-1 Chicago 12 8 1 63 44 25 Philadelphia 8 9 3 57 61 19 tie at 5:59 of the second period, backhand- Winnipeg 11 9 3 49 53 25 Carolina 6 11 3 48 62 15 ing a shot over the right pad of goalie Minnesota 12 8 0 58 44 24 Columbus 6 13 2 51 76 14 Viktor Fasth. His second goal came on a Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth slap shot from the deep slot at 17:42 of the Dallas 9 9 4 64 74 22 one point in the standings and are not second. It was Seguin’s fifth multigoal Colorado 8 9 5 57 70 21 included in the loss column (L). game of the season. Kari Lehtonen stopped 35 shots for Dallas. — AP McIlroy has Georgia on his mind Down Under SYDNEY: World number one Rory McIlroy is back to defend his hole last year for his only win of 2013. Scott is back again this Australian Open title in the city where he kickstarted his career year as well and while the tournament has been billed as a last year but admitted on Wednesday that the next US Masters duel between the pair, McIlroy thinks the likes of American is never far from his mind. Jordan Spieth and a host of strong local contenders could The reigning British Open and US PGA Championship title make a mockery of that publicity. “It’s definitely not a two- holder could win a third straight major if he secures the green horse race,” he said. “There’s another 120, 130, 140 players in jacket at Augusta in April and said he was thinking about it the field and they’ll all feel like they have a good chance to do “every day”. “It’s the next big career goal of mine, it would com- well this week.” McIlroy said the victory at Royal Sydney was plete the career grand slam,” the Northern Irishman told the springboard for a stellar 2014, even if he had surprised reporters yesterday. “It’s going to be a great position to be in a himself by getting back to the top of the world rankings by few months’ time driving down Magnolia Lane, having a August. With the likes of Scott in the pack chasing him, though, chance to win my third major in a row, the chance to complete he had no intention of standing still going into 2015 and that the career grand slam at 25, so I’m going to enjoy it. date with destiny at Augusta. “I know there’s going to be a lot of hype but I think you just “I keep trying to get better and better because I know that have to embrace that and I’m just going to go and enjoy the all the guys that I’m competing against are doing the same week as best I can and make sure that I’m prepared for that thing,” said McIlroy, who increased his major tally to four this week next year.” The first order of business for McIlroy at the year. “It’s going to be tough. The Masters is a place where I’ve Australian Golf Club this week, however, is retaining a title he had my struggles in the past and I want to try and put that snatched from the grasp of Australian Adam Scott on the final right next year.” — Reuters