TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 SPORTS

Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery Waqar, Gilchrist inducted Capello happy with to contest Ballon d’Or into the ICC Hall of Fame Russia WCup draw LONDON: World governing body FIFA named Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franck NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s pace great Waqar Younis and former MOSCOW: Russia manager Fabio Capello said yesterday that he considered his team to be the favorites of the 2014 World Cup Group H ahead of Belgium, South Ribery as the three nominations from a 10-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award yes- Australian -keeper Adam Gilchrist were yesterday inducted into terday. Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi has won the prestigious award, formerly Korea and Algeria. “Everybody is saying that Belgium are the favorites in our called FIFA World Player of the Year, for the past four years, while Real Madrid’s Ronaldo ’s Hall of Fame, the International Cricket Council said. Waqar group, but I feel that it’s Russia who are the true favorites,” Capello was quoted as topped the poll in 2008. Despite not winning any silverware last season Portuguese joins Hanif Mohammad and former team-mates Imran Khan, Javed saying by Sport Express daily. “I’m pleased with the draw. Ronaldo is favorite to end Messi’s reign as officially the world’s best player when the Miandad and Wasim Akram as the Pakistanis in the exclusive club. But I’m pleased even more with the fact that we will results are announced on Jan 13. The 28-year-old has 25 goals for Gilchrist will be the 19th Australian male inductee, the ICC said. Waqar play in Cuiaba, Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro,” Capello Madrid this season and bagged a stunning hat-trick as Portugal will be honored by the governing body during the Twenty20 interna- said. “We were lucky from the logistics point of view beat Sweden in a World Cup qualifying playoff to reach next tional between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dubai on Wednesday, while as we have avoided playing in the northeast of year’s finals in Brazil. Messi scored 56 times for Barcelona last Gilchrist will be feted during the third Ashes Test in Perth on Friday. Brazil where the weather is so hot and humid in summer.” The 67-year-old Italian coach added season, helping the Catalans win the Spanish title while Ribery Waqar claimed 373 in 87 Tests and 416 wickets in 262 one-day helped Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga and the Champions that he would like to chose town of Campinas, League. Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, internationals before retiring after the 2003 World Cup. He now works which is situated not far from Sao Paulo, as his Bayern Munich’s Jupp Heynkes and Borussia Dortmund’s Juergen as a television commentator. “It’s a huge honor for me,” said the 42- team’s base for next summer’s competition. Capello Klopp form the shortlist for the Coach of the Year award. Paris St year-old Waqar. “I’m truly grateful to the people who’ve considered me said that Group H contained four strong teams and Germain’s Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed to make the worthy of such an honor.” Gilchrist, also a prolific batsman, was a three- that he would not under-estimate them. “Belgium final Ballon d’Or shortlist although he is in contention for the time World Cup winner in 1999, 2003 and 2007. He played 96 Tests dur- are an excellent team consisting of young and Puskas Award for the “most beautiful goal of the year” for his ing a 12-year career that ended in 2008, making 5,570 runs and claim- skilled players,” he said. “We will need to find the long-range overhead volley against England. —Reuters ing 416 dismissals behind the stumps. —AFP means to cope with them.” —AFP Big win puts Aussies on brink of Ashes victory

ADELAIDE: Australia wrapped up a comprehen- sive 218-run victory over England yesterday to take a 2-0 series lead, leaving them on the brink of reclaiming . The home team cap- tured the four remaining wickets in just under an hour on the final morning in Adelaide and are now just one victory away from winning back the famous urn after three consecutive series defeats. It was a second emphatic reverse for England after they lost in Brisbane by 381 runs and the tourists must regroup before the third Test, which starts in Perth on Friday. England have only won once in 12 Tests on the tradition- ally pacy WACA pitch. “I think that something that is most pleasing is we are finally getting some results,” said Australian skipper Michael Clarke, who never- theless cautioned that his side still had work to do in their quest to return to the top of the world rankings. “I think we have to be realistic,” said Clarke. “That’s our second Test win in the past 12 months-certainly not a record we’re proud of. There’s a lot of work for us to do to get back to being the number one team in the world ADELAIDE: The Australian team celebrates after dismissing England batsman Graeme TORONTO: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets hit by Brad Marchand #63 of and that’s our goal.” the Boston Bruins during NHL action at the Air Canada Centre on December 8, 2013. —AFP Australia’s victory in Brisbane was their first Swann (right) on the final day of the second Ashes cricket Test match yesterday. —AFP Test win since they beat Sri Lanka in January. Under overcast skies yesterday, wicketkeeper reprise his fighting unbeaten century to force a They lost 3-0 to England in July-August. England showed defiance for the tourists, draw against New Zealand in March. The wicket- Capitals trounce Rangers admitted his side lost the reaching 69 off 102 balls, before he became the keeper reached his 27th Test half-century off 88 game on the first day when they were guilty of ninth batsman to go. fell to the fifth balls. Graeme Swann (six) was caught at second several dropped catches, allowing Australia to ball of the final day, caught in the deep by off Ryan Harris and Prior’s resistance ended NEW YORK: Jason Chimera, Steve Oleksy and with 1:41 left for San Jose, which went 1-3 on a pile up an imposing 570 for nine declared, with Mikhail Grabovski scored second-period goals four-game trip. The Sharks, who have lost three Nathan Lyon for 29 off Siddle after pulling the when he fell hooking Siddle to Harris on the Clarke making 148. “On that first day we had an previous ball for six. England’s Barmy Army sup- boundary rope. Siddle was the pick of the to power the Washington Capitals to a 4-1 win in a row in regulation for the first time this sea- opportunity to a put a bit of pressure on over the New York Rangers on Sunday night. son, are 0-5-1 in their last six games in porters attempted to get under Johnson’s skin, Australian bowlers with figures of 4-57. Monty Australia. We let a few chances go, and they real- but the paceman retorted by peppering Prior Panesar was the final England wicket to fall, hit- Washington defenseman Nate Schmidt added Minnesota. Antti Niemi made 10 saves. Parise ly made us pay for that,” he said. a goal in the third for the Capitals, who beat and Koivu scored second-period goals to give with a couple of short-pitched deliveries. ting to Chris Rogers at short extra cover to give Cook said England’s first innings total of 172 Prior saw off Johnson and was looking to Harris his third scalp of the innings.—AFP Nashville at home on Saturday. Schmidt, a 22- Minnesota a 2-0 lead. Parise pushed the Wild’s was not good enough. “You don’t get too many year-old rookie, scored his first NHL goal in that edge back to two goals when he scored at chances on good wickets and we had the oppor- game. Grabovski’s goal came on a penalty shot. 19:54. Harding, who improved to 13-1 at home, tunity then and we didn’t take it. I thought that SCOREBOARD In his fourth NHL game, Philipp Grubauer made is 16-4-3 overall. was the main difference. Australia took their 30 saves for Washington (16-12-2) to earn his chances very well,” he said. “The only guys who first career win. The Capitals have won four of BRUINS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 2 ADELAIDE, Australia: Scoreboard on the final day of the second Ashes Test between Australia and can change it are the guys in the dressing room. England at the Adelaide Oval yesterday: five. New York (15-15-1), beaten at home in Carl Soderberg and Torey Krug scored sec- No one else can change it for us. We can’t sit overtime by New Jersey on Saturday, has lost ond-period power-play goals as Boston defeat- there moping about it. It’s hurting us like hell Australia 1st innings 570 for 9 declared (M. Matt Prior c Harris b Siddle 69 three of five. Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves, ed Toronto. The Bruins were coming off a but we’re the only guys who can change it.” Clarke 148, B. Haddin 118; S. Stuart Broad c Lyon B Siddle 29 and Benoit Pouliot scored the Rangers’ lone Saturday night win over Pittsburgh in which Demon paceman was named Broad 3-98) Graeme Swann c Clarke b Harris 6 goal with 1:53 left to spoil Grubauer’s shutout Shawn Thornton had a takedown of Brooks man-of-the-match for the second consecutive England 1st innings 172 (I. Bell 72 not out, M. James Anderson not out 13 bid. Orpik. The Bruins were without the suspended Test after his seven for 40 in England’s first Carberry 60; M. Johnson c Rogers b Harris 0 Thornton as well as Loui Eriksson and Chris innings. 7-40) Extras (lb1, w4, nb1) 6 Australia 2nd innings 132 for 3 declared (D. BLACKHAWKS 6, PANTHERS 2 Kelly, who were both injured in the game. The “I guess having that intimidation factor is defi- Total (all out; 101.4 overs) 312 Patrick Sharp had a goal and two assists as Leafs controlled the play early on and led 1-0 Warner 83 not out; J. Anderson nitely a bonus,” said Johnson, who has now taken Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Cook), 2-20 (Carberry), 3- Chicago scored a season-high three times on after the first on a goal by Peter Holland. But 17 wickets in the series at 12.70, silencing the 2-19) the power play in a win over Florida. The the Bruins had a three-goal outburst in the sec- England 2nd innings (overnight 247 for 6): 131 (Pietersen), 4-143 (Bell), 5-171 (Root), 6- England fans who mercilessly taunted him for 210 (Stokes), 7-255 (Broad), 8-293 (Swann), 9- Blackhawks used their potent offense to win ond period, including a pair of power-play goals wayward bowling during the last Ashes series Alastair Cook c Harris b Johnson 1 301 (Prior), 10-312 (Panesar) after starting goalie Corey Crawford left in the in a 93-second stretch. Toronto, which also gave Down Under. “It wasn’t probably quite there in the Michael Carberry c Lyon b Siddle 14 first period because of a lower-body injury. up two power-play goals in a win against the last couple of Ashes series for me, so to be able to Joe Root c Haddin b Lyon 87 Bowling: Harris 19.4-3-54-3 (1nb, 2w), Johnson Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook and Brandon Senators on Saturday, went 0 for 4 on the power come out, just back my ability, and know what I b Siddle 53 24-8-73-1 (2w), Siddle 19-4-57-4, Lyon 26-7-78- Saad each had goal and an assist, and Michal play Sunday. The Bruins outshot the Leafs 40-32. wanted to bowl, I have just really enjoyed it, so I c Johnson b Smith 6 1, Watson 6-3-6-0, Smith 7-0-43-1. Handzus and Andrew Shaw also scored. Patrick Jay McClement also scored for Toronto. Kevan will continue to do that throughout the series.” Ben Stokes c Clarke b Harris 28 Result: Australia won by 218 runs Kane had three assists for Chicago, which end- Miller, Jarome Iginla and Patrice Bergeron also ed a three-game losing streak - its longest regu- scored for Boston. lar-season skid since February 2012. Rookie Antti Raanta, recalled after veteran backup CANUCKS 3, AVALANCHE 1 Nikolai Khabublin was injured on Nov. 16, Mike Santorelli scored two goals and added Connacht lead Irish provinces stopped 29 of 31 shots for the win in relief of an assist in Vancouver’s victory over Colorado. Crawford, who made four saves. Dylan Olsen The Canucks (17-10-5) earned their fifth win in and Goc scored for Florida. Scott Clemmensen sixth games and moved within a point of the in Rugby European Cup wins made 26 saves in his third start and fifth appear- Avalanche (20-8) in the tight Western ance this season. Conference standings. Jean-Sebastien Giguere PARIS: Perennial underachievers Connacht ago and, although we got two wins, they win over Treviso was important in that it fol- lost for the first time in eight decisions this sea- claimed their most famous scalp in leading were not so easy to get. lowed victory over both Montpellier and WILD 3, SHARKS 1 son. The Avalanche were beaten for just the their three rival Irish provincial sides to “So we were aware of the fact that they main pool 5 rivals Leicester, who now have a Josh Harding made 37 saves in another third time in nine games. Ryan Kesler also strong home outing as Minnesota beat San scored for the Canucks, who were outshot 29- wins in European Cup action on the week- are a good team, even if they’re ranking seven-point deficit on the Northern Jose despite recording only 13 shots. Zach 21. Jamie McGinn had the lone goal for end. The unfashionable Galway-based side, last in the Celtic League. “Irish teams are Irishmen. “We put a lot of pressure on our- Parise scored twice - once into an empty net - Colorado, scored with only 7.1 seconds left. That coached by ex-Samoan flanker Pat Lam, not the same in Celtic League and in selves this week, we knew we had to be and Mikko Koivu added a goal for the Wild, who kept Roberto Luongo from earning his 65th produced the result of a scintillating three Heineken Cup. This competition is special good against a side like that,” said Ulster have won three of four. Patrick Marleau scored NHL shutout. He is 14-8-5 this season. —AP days of rugby, holding on for a 16-14 win for them.” Connacht coach Lam said that skipper Johann Muller. “Mentally we were over four-time champions Toulouse. It self-belief had been behind the victory. really there, and when you’re mentally there, bucked a losing run of 10 successive “Although we are at the bottom of the physically it falls into place.” NHL results/standings matches, Connacht’s previous win of the table this year, every single game we Toulouse apart, all the serious contenders season coming over Italian side Zebre in played we could have won,” said Lam. “We for the continent’s biggest club rugby crown Minnesota 3, San Jose 1; Boston 5, Toronto 2; Washington 4, NY Rangers 1; Chicago 6, their opening European Cup pool game. have a team with no superstars, we missed posted wins over the weekend. Defending Florida 2; Vancouver 3, Colorado 1. The three other provinces all recorded so many opportunities throughout the sea- champions Toulon bounced back from a 23- Western Conference Eastern Conference bonus-point victories in what was a memo- son, but we still came here confident. We 0 defeat in the Top 14 to Stade Francais with Pacific Division Atlantic Division rable weekend for Irish rugby fans. Three- just had to make sure that everyone did a nervy 14-9 win over Exeter and domestic W L OTL GF GA PTS Boston 20 8 2 84 61 42 time former champions Leinster put their job.” rivals Clermont waltzed past Scarlets 32-11. Montreal 19 9 3 85 65 41 Anaheim 20 7 5 101 84 45 to the sword, 40-7, two-time One player to have done his job for English heavyweights Leicester beat Detroit 15 9 7 85 82 37 champs Munster racked up a 36-8 win over Leinster was talismanic Ireland centre Brian Montpellier 41-32 in an entertaining match, San Jose 19 6 5 101 75 43 Tampa Bay 17 10 2 80 70 36 Perpignan and Ulster trounced Treviso 48- O’Driscoll. The 34-year-old was in cracking while Saracens thrashed Zebre 39-10 and Los Angeles 19 7 4 79 62 42 Toronto 16 12 3 86 87 35 0. Toulouse skipper Thierry Dusautoir was form in both attack and defence against a Harlequins put in a great performance to Vancouver 17 10 5 86 81 39 Ottawa 11 14 5 86 99 27 full of praise for Connacht, and said the toothless Northampton side. “You would beat the expensively-assembled Racing- Phoenix 16 8 5 94 93 37 Florida 9 17 5 70 104 23 Buffalo 6 22 2 51 91 14 gulf between the French giants and the never expect to come to Northampton and Metro 32-8 in front of 30,000 fans in the Calgary 11 14 4 78 98 26 “fourth” Irish province was not evident on get a result like that,” Leinster coach Matt western French city of Nantes. Edmonton 10 18 3 84 105 23 Metropolitan Division the pitch. O’Connor admitted. “The way we played in Racing-Metro’s directors took a dim view Pittsburgh 20 10 1 96 70 41 “Connacht were more aggressive than the first 20 minutes was very, very good of the result, immediately announcing that Central Division Washington 16 12 2 92 85 34 we were and they played a very good and they couldn’t live with the tempo at they had switched the mouthwatering Top Chicago 21 6 5 116 89 47 Carolina 13 12 5 71 84 31 game. We’re really disappointed about our that point.” Leinster had bagged a bonus 14 clash with Toulon away from Stade de St. Louis 19 6 3 98 66 41 NY Rangers 15 15 1 69 80 31 performance and about the result - we point in 36 minutes and led 26-0 at the France to its own much more modest stadi- New Jersey 12 13 6 69 77 30 Minnesota 18 9 5 77 75 41 expected to win this game,” Dusautoir told break, and then came out firing in the sec- um. “In light of the result against Harlequins Philadelphia 13 14 2 64 73 28 Colorado 20 8 0 82 65 40 Columbus 12 14 3 72 80 27 ercrugby.com. “Rugby has nothing to do ond half. on Saturday this has forced us to accept we Dallas 14 9 5 81 80 33 NY Islanders 8 17 5 75 104 21 about the gaps between our budgets. A “That’s a quality performance against a are not a part of the great teams of the Winnipeg 14 13 4 82 88 32 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one game is 15 men against 15, and the 15 Irish very good side, but we don’t want to get moment,” the club said. “The Stade de Nashville 13 14 3 67 88 29 point in the standings and are not included men were better than us today.” Dusautoir lost in it-it’s cup rugby and every game and France is reserved for such teams and we do in the loss column (L). added: “We played them a couple of years every point matters,” O’Connor said. Ulster’s not belong there.” —AFP