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p15_Layout 1 1/14/15 10:19 PM Page 1 THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 SPORTS Nastasic moves to Schalke Uphill task for Dortmund City add more firepower BERLIN: Schalke 04 completed the signing of Matija Nastasic on loan from BERLIN: Avoiding relegation is the only thing that matters for Borussia LONDON: Manchester City have bolstered their attacking arsenal with the Manchester City until the end of the season yesterday with the Serbia Dortmund despite continuing hopes in the Champions League and German signing of Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Bony from Swansea City, the English defender already training with the Bundesliga club. Cup, chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said yesterday. The 2011 and 2012 champions said yesterday. Schalke have agreed with City, who have the player under contract until German champions, who also reached the 2013 Champions League final, have Bony, who scored 20 goals in the 2014 calendar year, more than any 2017, an option to buy Nastasic at the end of his loan spell, the German imploded this season and are in 17th place, level on points with last-placed Premier League player, has joined for a fee of about 30 million pounds club said in a statement. Freiburg. “The mission is clear. Our aim is to stay up and in such a way that it ($45.48 million) according to British media. Nastasic flew out early yesterday to join the team at can be seen as a good performance in hindsight,” Watzke told reporters at the The 26-year-old, who is preparing for this moonth’s their training camp in Qatar, the club said. The tall 21-year- team’s training camp in Spain. “We will not deal with any other issues, especial- African Nations Cup with the Ivorian squad, joined old joined City as a teenager in 2012 on a five-year deal but ly those coming from outside.” One of the issues constantly in the headlines is Swansea from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem for 12 mil- has been unable to force his way into Manuel Pellegrini’s the future of winger Marco Reus, back in training following an ankle injury he lion pounds in 2013. side. Nastasic has made one appearance for City this sea- sustained in November. The Germany international, who had an injury-plagued “As a player it’s always good to be part of one of the son, in the 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal in 2014 that also saw him miss the World Cup, has a buyout clause in his contract biggest clubs in the world and it’s a good opportunity August. Schalke, who are fifth in the Bundesliga, with Dortmund that has attracted the interest of several top European clubs.He for me to be in that situation now-I’m really proud,” have conceded 21 goals in 17 league games com- has, however, yet to announce a decision. Bony told City’s website (www.mcfc.com). “I felt excited pared to leaders Bayern Munich’s four. The Ruhr val- “I can understand Marco. He first wants to play again and then he wants to to wait for this moment and now it’s come, it’s fantas- ley club face Real Madrid in the Champions League see which direction to take,” Watzke said.”I have a legitimate hope that he will tic.” City have suffered with injuries to strikers Sergio round of 16 next month. Nastasic has not featured stay for the long term. If not it is something we will have to accept.” Dortmund, Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Steven Jovetic this sea- in any Champions League games this season. The still contenders for the German Cup, have lost 10 of their 17 league games so son but still closed an eight-point gap to Bundesliga resumes on Jan. 30 after the winter far and have picked up just 15 points despite qualifying for the Champions Premier League Chelsea and now trail by break. —Reuters League Round of 16 where they face Juventus next month. —Reuters two.—Reuters Williamson absence could be blessing in disguise for NZ WELLINGTON: Kane Williamson’s the spot for the global showpiece after absence for possibly the next three captain Brendon McCullum reverted to matches against Sri Lanka could be a opening the batting. He belted a 19-ball blessing in disguise for New Zealand, half century in the first match in with the batting order given the oppor- Christchurch, which gave the hosts a fly- tunity to fine tune plans for the World ing start in pursuit of the 219 runs need- Cup. ed for victory. Test opener Tom Latham will bat in The recalled Elliott batted at five in Williamson’s place at number three in the the three-wicket win in the first match at second game against Sri Lanka in Hagley Oval and was expected to play Hamilton today, top-order batsman Ross there today, added Taylor, though the all- Taylor said yesterday. rounder was absent from training due to Williamson, who is out for about sev- a family issue yesterday. en to 10 days with a slight shoulder A decision on his availability may not injury, has scored 722 runs, including be made until today. Elliott’s selection at seven half centuries and one century, at five was not an indication he had the 72.20 in the past 12 months and is con- inside track on the job for the World Cup, sidered crucial to the co-hosts World Cup Taylor said. hopes. Statistics suggest Latham’s best posi- New Zealand co-host the Feb. 14- tion is at the top of the order, where has March 29 World Cup with Australia. “It’s time to build an innings. Latham has probably a good thing,” Taylor said of scored 146 runs at 24.33 in his last eight Williamson’s enforced absence. “We want ODI innings, all in the middle order, while to see how these guys handle them- his highest career score, 86, came as an selves under pressure. “Kane has been opener. “I wouldn’t say because Grant is the go-to guy for the last 12-18 months. batting there at the moment that he has It will be different but exciting as well to the number on Tom,” Taylor said. “Tom see how (these guys) go under pressure, gets to bat up the order and that gives (which) bodes well for the World Cup.” you a little bit more time. Five is a diffi- New Zealand must also explore cult spot to bat but three has a little bit options at number five, with Latham and more time and hopefully he can take his Grant Elliott thought to be contesting opportunity there.”—Reuters NEW YORK: Martin St. Louis No. 26 of the New York Rangers and Nikolay Kulemin No. 86 of the New York Islanders battle for the puck during their game at Madison Square Garden. —AFP Awesome Kenyan foursome to race in London Marathon Islanders cool off Rangers LONDON: London Marathon champion Priscah and Mary will be doing their best NEW YORK: Frans Nielsen’s short-handed tally also scored for Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby had and David Krejci had two assists each for the Edna Kiplagat will face two former win- to regain the number one spot. capped the Islanders’ three-goal second period, three assists for the Penguins, who had little trou- Bruins, who held the Lightning to 16 shots. ners and the fastest half-marathon run- Keitany made an impressive return Jaroslav Halak made 27 saves in his fourth ble with the floundering Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury Pastrnak, called up from Providence of the ner ever - all four of them Kenyans - in last year when she won the New York shutout of the season, and Long Island’s team made 30 saves, including several key stops early AHL on Jan. 6, scored his first two career goals this year’s race, organisers said yesterday. City Marathon in November after taking cooled off the New York Rangers with a 3-0 victo- to give his teammates time to find a rhythm. Saturday in Boston’s 3-1 win at Philadelphia. Double world marathon champion a year out in 2013 to have her second ry on Tuesday night. Niklas Backstrom stopped 29 of the 35 shots Boston’s first-round draft pick in 2014, Pastrnak Kiplagat beat half-marathon world child. Undefeated over the London The Rangers had won five straight and 13 of before being pulled following Letang’s goal mid- doubled his total against the Lightning as the record holder Florence Kiplagat by three course, she has the quickest personal 14 - a run punctuated by a three-game California way through the third period. Jonas Brodin and Bruins continued gaining ground in the Eastern seconds in the closest women’s London best in this year’s lineup by more than a sweep last week - but the Eastern Conference- Justin Fontaine scored for the Wild, who never Conference standings by improving to 5-0-3 in Marathon for 17 years in 2014. minute with 2:18.37 and is aiming to leading Islanders finished a seven-game road trip led. Minnesota has lost six straight and 12 of its their last eight games. Steven Stamkos scored Pushing them all the way this year will become the fourth woman to win the with their third straight win. last 14. two goals for Tampa Bay, giving him 25 for the be 2013 champion Priscah Jeptoo and London Marathon three times. Shortly after the Islanders had a goal waved season. Ben Bishop had 30 saves.