The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 07:35 AM PST

LONDON, Jan 1 — Fulham winger Alex Kacaniklic sealed a 2-1 Premier League win at high-flying West Bromwich Albion today to end a sorry run of results for the Londoners.

Martin Jol's side had won only one of their last 12 games but began 2013 with a bang against the club he graced as a player with Dimitar Berbatov giving the dominant visitors a 39th-minute lead when his shot evaded goalkeeper Ben Foster.

West Brom, riding high in seventh spot, improved markedly after the break and Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku increased speculation about a possible recall by parent club Chelsea this month by capping a superb display with a 49th-minute tap-in.

The hosts then hit the post twice but 12th-placed Fulham would not be denied and Swedish winger Kacaniklic expertly spun on the edge of the area before stroking the ball home 13 minutes into the second half.

Leaders Manchester United play at Wigan Athletic later (1500 GMT) when champions and second-placed Manchester City host Stoke City. — Reuters

O’Connell to miss Six Nations championship

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 07:15 AM PST

DUBLIN, Jan 1 — Ireland lock Paul O'Connell will miss the Six Nations championship after a back operation yesterday but hopes to return in early April in time for the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia starting in June.

Ireland lock Paul O'Connell. — AFP

O'Connell who captained the Lions during their last tour in South Africa four years ago, has played only two games for his provincial side Munster this season and last started for Ireland during last year's Six Nations.

The 33-year-old lock, who has been dogged by injury in recent years, underwent surgery on his back for the second time yesterday and said the operation had gone well.

"My aim now is to start rehab as soon as is practicable. In terms of a return, I'd be looking at early April," O'Connell told Munster's website (http://www.munsterrugby.ie) today.

Tommy Bowe has also been ruled out of the Six Nations championship, which Ireland begin in Wales on Feb. 2, because of a knee injury. However the Ulster wing should also return in April in time for possible inclusion in Lions' coach Warren Gatland's squad for Australia. — Reuters

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Selasa, 1 Januari 2013

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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