TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013 SPORTS

EurAsia event could Photo of the day rival the Ryder Cup HONG KONG: Rival captains Miguel Angel take some time to get to Ryder Cup level.” Jimenez and have pre- dicted big things for the new Ryder Cup- ASIAN UNITY style EurAsia Cup to be held near Kuala Cowen said an important factor would Lumpur next year. Europe and Asia will be getting the Asian countries to unite in clash over three days at the Glenmarie their team’s cause. “I don’t think there’s any and Country Club from March 27-29. “I shortage of desire out here,” he added. “I think this event is going to have a big guess the key will be the Asian countries future,” Spaniard Jimenez said in an inter- uniting and getting behind their team. “The view yesterday. European team have the Ryder Cup and “Asia has a lot of talent. Golf is growing have that experience already.” The new so much around the world now and partic- tournament is a co-sanctioned event and ularly in Asia. I think we are going to see chairman Kyi Hla Han said his some very interesting matches. “The Ryder players were itching to compete in it. “I Cup is such a magnificent event,” said talked to the top Chinese player Liang Jimenez of the biennial competition Wenchong the other week and he said, ‘I between Europe and the United States. want to play my way in to qualify for the “This is about to follow the same criteria.” EurAsia Cup’,” Han said. “He’s proud to be Thongchai, three times a winner of the representing Asia and that’s what we want. Asian Tour’s order of merit, echoed the The players want to compete in this match views of his opposing skipper. “I think in and be proud to be representing their the future this EurAsia Cup is going to be respective continents.” pretty close to the Ryder Cup,” the experi- World number 12 Graeme McDowell has enced Thai golfer told Reuters. “This is given the EurAsia Cup a massive boost by going to be a key competition for a long pledging to represent Europe in March. The time.” former US Open champion is one of five Ben Cowen, deputy director of the automatic choices in Jimenez’s team, along European Tour’s international policy, also with the playing captain, Welshman Jamie said his organization had high hopes for Donaldson, Frenchman the biennial tournament. “The Ryder Cup and Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. started back in 1927 so that’s taken a long Four more players from the world rankings time to get to the position it’s in now as the and a captain’s pick will complete Europe’s Mohamma Al Attar performing a flip on Abdo Feghali’s car.— www.redbull.com leading golf team event in the world,” 10-man lineup. Thongchai will also be a Cowen said. “We hope the EurAsia Cup in playing captain. His team is to be made up the future will get half as big as the Ryder of the leading four players from Asia’s final Cup if not as big but there’s a long way to order of merit, the top three available from go on that. “This is just the first event and the world rankings and two captain’s Canucks overcome Hurricanes we hope it will develop swiftly but it could picks.— Reuters RALEIGH: Ryan Kesler scored two goals to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-2 win over the Lauda expects Brawn to Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Tom Sestito also scored for the return to Formula One Canucks, and Jason Garrison had two assists. Backup goalie Eddie LONDON: Niki Lauda expects departing hopefully we can keep on going,” he Lack made 29 saves to help Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn to laughed. Mercedes finished second Vancouver earn its third win in 11 return to Formula One in some capacity overall this year, up from fifth in 2012, games. Kesler’s second goal once he has gone fishing and taken time with both Germany’s Nico Rosberg and capped a stretch in which the out. Triple world champion Lauda, who 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton winning teams combined to score three is non-executive director of the British- races. goals in 37 seconds. Jordan Staal based team, said he had tried hard to Lauda shone more light on the and Nathan Gerbe scored 10 sec- convince the 59-year-old to stay in behind the scenes maneuvering to prise onds apart for Carolina in the charge but would keep in close contact Hamilton away from McLaren at the end opening 49 seconds of the second period. Kesler answered 27 sec- with him anyway. of last season, with secret talks sched- onds later to make it 3-2. Carolina’s Brawn, one of the most experienced uled for the early hours before the Cam Ward made 27 saves. The and successful figures in the sport, and Singapore night race. “I had to see him in Hurricanes, who failed on six pow- Mercedes announced last week that he his room between two to four in the er-play chances against the NHL’s would be leaving at the end of the year, morning. I was never with a strange rac- best penalty-killing unit, have lost handing over his role to executive direc- ing driver in a room between two to four six of eight. tors Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe. “I’m very in the morning,” he said. “I remember sad about it because I wanted him to very well the discussion because he was RED WINGS 4, SENATORS 2 stay another year,” Austrian Lauda told on pole position with McLaren, was basi- Daniel Alfredsson scored an reporters before the Autosport Awards cally winning everything and I asked empty-net goal and added an ceremony on Sunday night. him ‘Would you consider going over to assist in his return to Ottawa as “But he says he wants to go fishing. Mercedes?.’ Detroit beat the host Senators. So I really tried hard but he stays a con- And he said ‘Why should I go. This car Alfredsson, the former longtime sultant to me which I think is very good is winning, all I want to do is win, and captain of the Senators, wasn’t pri- OTTAWA: Joe Corvo #77 of the Ottawa Senators falls to the ice to block the puck as Daniel Alfredsson #11 and important. “He says he wants a rest. your car is not winning’. “I said ‘Shit, he’s marily responsible for Ottawa’s sec- of the Detroit Red Wings tries to get the puck during an NHL game at Canadian Tire Centre on December 1, So it’s very simple. I think he will not go right’,” grinned the Austrian. Lauda’s ond straight loss and fourth con- 2013. —AFP secutive at home, but he helped in pension (retirement), this is clear. I response was to tell Hamilton that if he contribute to the continuation of Hemsky scored 5 seconds before ed tally that gave Dallas a 1-0 lead in the second. Garbutt collided think he will come back, I don’t know stayed with McLaren, the team that had his ex-team’s woes. Like so many the second period ended, and in the second period. He also put with Bryzgalov, who left with an with the (governing) FIA or whatever he supported him since he was a youngster, times in their previous 27 games in Andrew Ference fired in a slap shot the Stars ahead in the third. upper-body injury and didn’t likes to do,” added Lauda. Lauda, who he would always be former boss Ron the post-Alfredsson era, something with 5:07 remaining in regulation Garbutt nearly had a hat trick but return. Bryzgalov, who made 28 attended a presentation to announce a Dennis’s baby. was missing for the Senators (10- to tie it again. Ryan Garbutt scored he was stopped on a breakaway saves, trailed 1-0 when he came new partnership with motorsports mar- “But if you make the Mercedes win 13-4). Defensive breakdowns led to two goals, including a short-hand- attempt by Bryzgalov with 3:41 left out.— AP keting agency JMI and was later handed after (Michael) Schumacher, you might goals, and there wasn’t enough a lifetime achievement award at the be a bigger legend than anybody else. offense to compensate. Drew Miller NHL results/standings Autosport event, said Brawn would be He woke up and said ‘Let’s talk about it’. scored twice, Johan Franzen added involved in the handover. So this really was the catch for him.” The a goal, and Jonas Gustavsson made Vancouver 3, Carolina 2; Detroit 4, Ottawa 2; Edmonton 3, Dallas 2 (SO). 29 saves for Detroit. Clarke Lauda, whose epic 1976 champi- next day Hamilton was heading for vic- Western Conference Detroit 14 7 7 78 73 35 MacArthur and Mika Zibanejad onship duel was turned into the movie tory in the race. Lauda feared a victory Pacific Division Tampa Bay 16 9 1 76 66 33 had goals for Ottawa, which won ‘Rush’ and released this year, was typical- and intense pressure from McLaren and W L OTL GF GA PTS Montreal 15 9 3 73 57 33 the first two meetings between the San Jose 18 3 5 92 60 41 ly blunt about the challenge ahead. Dennis, the boss for whom he had won Toronto 14 10 3 75 73 31 teams this season in Detroit. Robin Anaheim 18 7 4 91 77 40 “Now Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe, and his own third title in 1984, might sway Ottawa 10 13 4 78 90 24 Paddy especially on the technical side, Hamilton’s mind again. “I was sitting in Lehner took the loss. The Red Los Angeles 16 7 4 70 58 36 Phoenix 15 7 4 85 84 34 Florida 7 15 5 59 91 19 has to fill this big hole he (Brawn) has front of the television and said ‘Please Wings, who won their fourth straight, haven’t lost since the Vancouver 14 10 5 77 77 33 Buffalo 6 20 2 48 85 14 left,” he said, adding that Brawn would crash. Please retire’. I was sitting and Senators beat them on Nov 23. Calgary 9 13 4 70 93 22 Metropolitan Division Edmonton 9 17 2 73 95 20 help him get Lowe fully up to speed in waiting for this and Bingo! Gearbox Pittsburgh 18 9 1 86 64 37 Central Division his new role. “Don’t worry, I am going to gone. I went to see him (Hamilton) right OILERS 3, STARS 2, SO Washington 14 11 2 82 78 30 kick them like you do not believe... and after.” —Reuters Chicago 20 4 4 102 76 44 Jordan Eberle and David Perron St. Louis 18 4 3 89 57 39 NY Rangers 14 13 0 60 66 28 scored in the shootout, and Devan Colorado 19 6 0 76 52 38 New Jersey 11 11 5 59 64 27 Dubnyk come on in relief of injured Minnesota 15 8 5 68 67 35 Philadelphia 12 12 2 57 63 26 goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to help Nashville 13 11 3 62 75 29 Carolina 10 12 5 57 78 25 Ecclestone disappointed with Dallas 12 9 4 70 73 28 Edmonton earn a win over Dallas. Columbus 10 14 3 67 80 23 Dubnyk stopped two of three shots Winnipeg 12 12 4 73 80 28 Alonso’s Ferrari performance Eastern Conference NY Islanders 8 15 4 72 93 20 in the tiebreaker. Dallas’ Kari Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the stand- Lehtonen failed to make a save in Atlantic Division LONDON: Formula One supremo Bernie times champion Michael Schumacher’s Boston 18 7 2 75 55 38 ings and are not included in the loss column (L). the shootout. Edmonton’s Ales Ecclestone has expressed disappoint- 2004 record. “You probably have to say ment with Fernando Alonso’s perform- he’s number one of the drivers I’ve ance at Ferrari and suggested the known,” added the Briton whose involve- Spaniard was looking for a move earlier ment with the sport goes back to the in the year. “I’ve been a little bit disap- 1950s. He also singled out Kimi Jimenez, Thongchai named pointed in Fernando because I’m a big Raikkonen, the 2007 champion who will supporter of him and of Ferrari,” be Alonso’s team mate at Ferrari next Ecclestone, 83, wrote in a foreword to the season after leaving Lotus. the EurAsia Cup captains official Formula One season review. “This year I suppose I have to call Kimi “I thought he gave up a little bit which the star driver, with the equipment he HONG KONG: Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez Golf and Country Club near Kuala Lumpur from Asian team is as well prepared as they can be,” is proof that he was looking for another has,” said Ecclestone of the Finn who left and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand were yester- March 27. 44-year-old Thongchai told reporters in Hong team. “I don’t know whether the team is Lotus after complaining he had not day named captains for an inaugural team golf The $4 million biennial tournament is styled Kong, where the announcement was made. not competitive because of him or received his wages. “I think he was moti- event between Asia and Europe taking place in on the popular Ryder Cup, and organizers the Jimenez, 49, said he expected the event to be a because the people who are running the vated on hope that he was going to get Malaysia next year. The EurAsia Cup will pit 10 Asian Tour and European Tour hope it will spark “close contest” as he named the first European team aren’t getting the job done,” added paid. “He’s a good guy to have in a team, golfers from each continent against each other an similarly exciting intercontinental rivalry. “It is players to have qualified for his side. Ecclestone. Alonso finished the season as good for us, good for the team. He’s in three days of matchplay at the Glenmarie sure to be a great battle and I’ll make sure the Former US Open champion Graeme overall runner-up to Red Bull’s Sebastian super, he’s a racer.” Pirelli, who caused McDowell of Northern Ireland, France’s Victor Vettel who clinched his fourth title in many of the season’s headlines with Dubuisson, Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, four years to become the youngest exploding tyres at Silverstone and com- and Jamie Donaldson of Wales will play cour- tesy of where they finished in this year’s Race to quadruple champion. plaints about how quickly their rubber Dubai. Another four will make the European McLaren made no secret earlier in the wore out, also received a glowing report team based on world rankings in February, season that they would jump at a chance from Ecclestone. while Jimenez will have two captains’ picks. The to sign Alonso, who had one turbulent “Pirelli did a wonderful job for us,” he Asian ten will include the leading four available year with them in 2007, should he said. “I told them we don’t want tyres Asian players from the 2013 Asian Tour Order of become available. Ferrari, third overall in that last the race, we want tyres that Merit and three based on world rankings, while the constructors’ standings, have nobody knows how they are going to Thongchai will select the final trio. described their season as one to forget last. We’ve got that too with the new On Monday, European Tour officials dis- while praising Alonso for his results in a engines next year.” Formula One is missed comparisons between the EurAsia Cup car that was not even second best. switching from the V8 engines to a new and the , another Europe vs Asia Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo V6 turbocharged unit with energy recov- team competition which is taking place at did, however, reprimand Alonso on the ery systems. Ecclestone has long been a Dragon Lake Golf Club in China’s Guangzhou Spaniard’s birthday in July for unflatter- critic of the new units, fearing that the later this month. “The EurAsia Cup is the only ing comments he made about his car. different noise will alienate the paying match event between Europe and Asia which Ecclestone said he had always predict- public, and he returned to the fray in the is fully sanctioned by the European Tour and ed Vettel would be ‘what he is’, with the review. “I still think what we have now is the Asian Tour,” Ben Cowen, the European German winning the last nine races of good, I don’t think there was any need to HONG KONG: Photo shows EurAsia Cup Captains Thongchai Jaidee from Thailand (right) and Tour’s deputy director of international policy, the year and 13 in total to equal seven- change it,” he said.— Reuters Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain in Hong Kong yesterday. — AFP said.—AFP