TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016 SPORTS

Leicester heroes Vardy, Mahrez on Ballon d’Or longlist

PARIS: Leicester City heroes who has won it five times altogether, are glory. Atletico Madrid and France striker the inaugural title in 1956. Madrid), (GER/Real Madrid), and Riyad Mahrez, stars in their team’s among the favourites to take the prize Antoine Griezmann is another leading Robert Lewandowski (POL/Bayern fairytale run to the title, once again. contender. However, his compatriot Karim Full list Munich), Hugo Lloris (FRA/Tottenham have been named on a 30-player longlist Ronaldo, who took home the award in Benzema is not on the list, the Real Madrid Sergio Aguero (ARG/Manchester City), Hotspur), Riyad Mahrez (ALG/Leicester for the 2016 Ballon d’Or. 2008, 2013 and 2014, set himself up for a striker’s year having been overshadowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang City), (ARG/Barcelona), Luka Vardy-who has enjoyed a meteoric rise potential fourth Ballon d’Or when captain- by the sextape blackmail affair which led (GAB/Borussia Dortmund), Gareth Bale Modric (CRO/Real Madrid), Thomas from amateur football to rub shoulders ing Portugal to Euro 2016 glory and help- to him being frozen out of the national (WAL/Real Madrid), Gianluigi Buffon Mueller (GER/Bayern Munich), Manuel with the game’s biggest names-is the sole ing Real Madrid to an 11th Champions team ahead of the Euros. (ITA/Juventus), Cristiano Ronaldo Neuer (GER/Bayern Munich), Neymar Englishman nominated for the prestigious League triumph. Other members of The winner will be determined by a (POR/Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (BRA/Barcelona), Dimitri Payet (FRA/West prize awarded by France Football maga- Madrid’s Champions League-winning vote of journalists-national team captains (BEL/Manchester City), Paulo Dybala Ham United), Paul Pogba (FRA/Manchester zine, which is organising the trophy on its campaign have been recognised as well in and managers will no longer have a say (ARG/Juventus), Diego Godin United), Pepe (POR/Real Madrid), Rui own after the end of a partnership with Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, after the ending of the five-year deal (URU/Atletico Madrid), Antoine Griezmann Patricio (POR/Sporting Lisbon), Sergio FIFA. The Foxes pair are among eight Sergio Ramos and Pepe. between France Football and FIFA. (FRA/Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Higuain Ramos (ESP/Real Madrid), Luis Suarez Premier League stars on the list. Three- Pepe and Ronaldo are also joined on The first Ballon d’Or was won by (ARG/Juventus), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (URU/Barcelona), Jamie Vardy time world player of the year Cristiano the list by Sporting Lisbon’s Rui Patricio, Stanley Matthews, at the time with (SWE/Manchester United), Andres Iniesta (ENG/Leicester City), Arturo Vidal Ronaldo and last year’s victor Lionel Messi, who kept goal in Portugal’s run to Euro Blackpool, who beat Alfredo Di Stefano for (ESP/Barcelona), Koke (ESP/Atletico (CHI/Bayern Munich). — AFP

Iheanacho scores again in African goal rush

PARIS: Nigerians Kelechi Iheanacho and ITALY were among the scorers dur- (Roma) ing a highly profitable weekend for African Salah was on fire during a stand-out goal-poachers in the five major European performance for Roma in a 4-1 rout of leagues. Palermo that saw the Giallorossi move Iheanacho rescued a point for English within two points of leaders Juventus, tak- Premier League leaders Manchester City ing their league-leading goals tally to 23. A against Southampton with his eighth goal searing run into the area by the Egyptian in 11 league matches. was rewarded with a flick from Edin Dzeko Musa got his first goal for Leicester City that Salah fired through the legs of ‘keeper with assistance from Algerian Islam Slimani Josip Posavec on the half hour. Salah also in a 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace. set up the final Roma goal for Stephan El Shaarawy. ENGLAND SADIO MANE (Liverpool) KEITA BALDE (Lazio) The Senegal forward sent his side on Keita was involved in most of Lazio’s their way to a 2-1 win over West Bromwich first-half chances on their way to a battling Albion that took the Merseysiders level on 2-2 draw at Torino. He fired a first-half free- points at the top of the Premier League kick over Joe Hart’s crossbar, then failed to table. He opened the scoring in the 21st beat the England ‘keeper in a one-on-one minute at Anfield when he controlled a far- soon after. post cross from Roberto Firmino and fin- ished confidently for his fourth goal of the GERMANY season. PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Borussia Dortmund) YANNICK BOLASIE (Everton) The Gabon striker netted Dortmund’s Drew his side level away to Burnley first goal in their 3-3 fight-back draw at when, in the 58th minute at Turf Moor, the strugglers Ingolstadt. After Ingolstadt took : Mark Scheifele #55 of the loses a faceoff to Anton Lander #51 of the Oilers during the 2016 Tim Hortons Democratic Republic of Congo internation- a 2-0 half-time lead, Aubameyang headed NHL Heritage Classic hockey game on Sunday at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The scored three goals al pinched the ball from team-mate home from Ousmane Dembele’s cross on in the second period and goaltender Cam Talbot made 31 saves Sunday as the Oilers downed the Jets 3-0 in the NHL Heritage Classic outdoor and slammed home his 59 minutes for his seventh goal in seven game in Winnipeg. — AFP first Everton goal. But it was not enough to games. get the Toffees a point, with a last-minute goal from Scott Arfield sealing a 2-1 win for ANIS BEN-HATIRA (Darmstadt) Burnley. The Berlin-born Tunisia international slammed home Darmstadt’s first-half free- Oilers down Jets in AHMED MUSA (Leicester City) kick to open the scoring in a 3-1 win over The Nigeria striker scored his first goal VfL Wolfsburg, who are winless in seven for the Foxes by breaking the deadlock games. three minutes before half-time after good work by Shinji Okazaki and Slimani in NABY KEITA (RB Leipzig) Heritage Classic champions Leicester’s 3-1 win over Crystal The Guinea international scored twice as Palace. Bundesliga newcomers Leipzig defeated Werder Bremen 3-1 to climb to second. KELECHI IHEANACHO (Manchester City) Keita capped off a superb solo run to put WINNIPEG: Cam Talbot made 31 saves and Musa’s fellow Nigeria forward continued Leipzig in front just before half-time, and Mark Letestu scored the first of three second- NHL Results/Standings his fine run of form to help leaders City can- the midfielder struck again on 74 minutes period goals, lifting the Edmonton Oilers over cel out Southampton’s opener in a 1-1 draw when he powered home a cross. the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday in an outdoor Edmonton 3, Winnipeg 0; NY Islanders 6, Minnesota 3; NY Rangers 3, Arizona 2; Anaheim 4, 2. that kept Pep Guardiola’s side top of the game delayed almost two hours by sunlight melting the ice. The Heritage Classic victory Western Conference Tampa Bay 4 1 0 17 14 8 table on goal difference. On for Kevin De NABIL BENTALEB (Schalke 04) Central Division extended Edmonton’s winning streak to three Detroit 4 2 0 20 15 8 Bruyne as a substitute at the start of the The Algeria midfielder, on loan from WLOTLGFGAPTS Florida 3 1 1 16 12 7 in front of 33,240 at Investors Group Field. Fans St. Louis 4 1 1 19 15 9 second half, he drew City level in the 55th Tottenham Hotspur, has scored three goals Boston 3 2 0 15 13 6 minute when, following passes from in two games after netting twice in wore both Jets and Oilers jerseys to the Minnesota 3 2 1 19 19 7 Ottawa 3 2 0 18 20 6 Fernandinho and Leroy Sane, he swept in a Schalke’s 3-0 win over Mainz which lifted league’s 19th outdoor game. Zack Kassian had Colorado 3 2 0 16 16 6 Toronto 1 1 3 18 19 5 confident finish from six yards. them out of the bottom three. He opened a goal and an assist and Darnell Nurse also Chicago 3 3 0 23 22 6 Dallas 2 2 1 14 16 5 the scoring with a great shot off his left foot scored for Edmonton. Connor Hellebuyck, who Buffalo 1 2 1 11 12 3 had a tuque attached to his helmet, stopped 29 Nashville 2 3 0 15 15 4 SPAIN on 23 minutes, then added the third when Winnipeg 2 3 0 14 19 4 KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG (Las Palmas) he fired through the Mainz goalkeeper’s shots for Winnipeg. The NHL said the start of NY Rangers 4 2 0 22 16 8 the Heritage Classic game was delayed “due to Pacific Division Former Ghana midfielder Boateng legs on 62 minutes. Edmonton 5 1 0 23 16 10 Washington 3 1 1 13 10 7 scored one of the goals of the season as he intermittent sunlight on the playing surface” Vancouver 4 1 1 15 14 9 Pittsburgh 3 2 1 13 19 7 finished off a sweeping 18-pass move from FRANCE and “in the interest of player safety.” San Jose 3 3 0 14 18 6 NY Islanders 3 3 0 18 17 6 one end of the field to the other with a RYAD BOUDEBOUZ (Montpellier) Anaheim 2 3 1 14 16 5 Philadelphia 2 2 1 19 19 5 spectacular scissor-kick from Tana’s back- Algeria attacking midfielder Boudebouz ISLANDERS 6, WILD 3 Los Angeles 2 3 0 14 18 4 New Jersey 2 2 1 8 9 5 John Tavares had two goals and an assist, 1 4 1 18 27 3 heeled assist to give Las Palmas the lead at scored both his team’s goals in a sobering Columbus 2 2 0 11 11 4 Johnny Boychuk scored for the second straight Arizona 1 4 0 14 21 2 Villarreal. 6-2 defeat at Monaco. The 24-year-old Eastern Conference Carolina 1 2 2 16 20 4 France-born player gave his team the lead game and New York beat Minnesota. Calvin de Haan, Alan Quine and Thomas Hickey also Atlantic Division Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the CEDRIC BAKAMBU (Villarreal) after just nine minutes with a wonderful Montreal 4 0 1 20 9 9 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). DR Congo striker Bakambu had the final free-kick from just outside the penalty box. scored to help New York get its highest scoring say against Las Palmas as he slotted home His second on the hour mark was from the total of the year and win for the third time in his second goal in as many La Liga games penalty spot and drew Montpellier level at four home games after opening with two road Lundqvist made 27 stops. Radim Vrbata had its home schedule with a victory over in the 92nd minute to keep Villarreal just 2-2 before Monaco hit four goals in 25 min- losses. Thomas Greiss stopped 26 shots for his both of Arizona’s goals, and Louis Domingue Vancouver. Andrew Cogliano, Cam Fowler and two points off the top with a 2-1 win. utes.— AFP first win in two starts this season. Islanders made 23 saves. The Coyotes have lost their first Corey Perry also scored for the Ducks, who have rookie Anthony Beauvillier had two assists, giv- four games on a six-game trip since beating won two straight after a four-game winless ing the 19-year-old at least a point in three Philadelphia in overtime at home to start the start. John Gibson made 17 saves in the straight games. Zach Parise scored twice for season. Girardi put the Rangers ahead with a Western Conference’s final home opener, Minnesota to top 300 goals for his career, and slap shot from the right point. The veteran was thanks to a schedule that forced Anaheim to Nino Niederreiter also scored. Second-string paired with rookie Brady Skjei in his first game play in five teams’ home debuts this month. goalie Darcy Kuemper made 27 saves. after missing New York’s previous three with a Henrik Sedin scored the tying goal early in the strained groin, and Skjei assisted on the goal. third period for the Canucks, who lost in regula- RANGERS 3, COYOTES 2 tion for the first time this season. Bo Horvat Dan Girardi scored 1:55 into the third period DUCKS 4, CANUCKS 2 scored a short-handed goal, and Loui Eriksson and New York beat Arizona. Josh Jooris and J.T. Nick Ritchie scored the tiebreaking goal on a had two assists. Ryan Miller made 33 saves in Miller also scored for New York, which has won rebound with 8:36 to play, captain Ryan Getzlaf his first outing since opening night for the consecutive games to improve to 4-2-0. Henrik had three assists and Anaheim finally opened Canucks. —AP

Prince Ali says FIFA needs to speed up reforms AMMAN: Former FIFA presidential candidate ing body is attempting to recover from the World Cup could backfire if not properly Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan is con- worst graft scandal in its history which has planned out, citing problems that faced in cerned about the pace of reform in world soc- seen 42 people, including former FIFA execu- Brazil and South Africa. cer’s governing body and says new president tive committee members, indicted in the “When it comes to FIFA, at the moment Gianni Infantino has “no time to lose” in bring- United States since May last year. there are other priorities really ... my only con- ing transparency to the organisation. Criminal investigations are also under way cern is that it’s maybe more political and Infantino was elected in February with the in Switzerland, where FIFA has its headquar- about pleasing people than what is best for task of leading FIFA into calmer waters after a ters. An investigation was also opened into the game,” he said.— Reuters series of corruption scandals plunged the FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 World Cup governing body into its worst crisis. Prince Ali to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar, a told Reuters in an interview that Infantino small, wealthy desert country with no real should focus on implementing reforms rather soccer tradition. than issues such as proposals to expand the Prince Ali said that as someone who had World Cup. “stuck to my guns in terms of really support- “I can only speculate as a new president he ing football and having a clean organisation”, first has to look at his own administration and he knew how urgent it was to speed up inves- see what’s going on in there,” he told Reuters tigations and tackle improper business prac- in Jordan, which is currently hosting the tices. “You really need to have a clean FIFA to Women’s Under-17 World Cup. be able to trickle down to our national associ- The tournament is the first FIFA organised ations” said Prince Ali, highlighting ongoing female World Cup in the Middle East and is problems such as matchfixing. considered a significant milestone for women “.. the reality is putting aside the big ideas in the region, long constrained by cultural and in the World Cup, the real issue is the organi- religious conservatism. sation and cleaning it up for me I wish it will “Everybody is looking at FIFA and the direc- be more streamlined, more open and that’s tion it is going and again it’s critical time, what I am hoping will take place,” he added. Kelechi Iheanacho there no time to lose.” Soccer’s global govern- Prince Ali said the proposal to enlarge the Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein