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Riquelme surpasses Maradona in Boca fans hearts

BUENOS AIRES: Fallen Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona suffered another blow to his prestige on Wednesday when it was revealed that playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme was leading him convincingly in a poll of Boca Junior fans.

Maradona, who has battled drugs and weight problems for several years having inspired Argentina to the 1986 World Cup trophy and then to the 1990 final, polled just 26.42 percent while 29-year-old Riquelme received 33.37 percent of the 65,160 fans that have already voted.

"It makes me really happy that the Boca fans have so much affection for me," said Riquelme, who joined Boca at the end of November from Spanish First Division side Villarreal.

Maradona, formerly untouchable as the Boca fans sweetheart having had two spells at the club including winning the league title in 1982, can still win the poll as it has another month to run.

Van Nistelrooy ruled out of Real match due to ankle injury

MADRID: Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been ruled out of Real Madrid's Spanish league away match against Recreativo on Saturday due to an ankle injury, the club said on its website.

The 31-year-old is the defending champion's top scorer in the league with 12 goals but he has not scored since January 20.

Real coach Bernd Schuster, however, will be able to count on Brazilian duo Pepe and Robinho, who returned to training Wednesday after being away due to injury.

Pepe has not played since January 20 because of a problem in his right foot while Robinho has been off the pitch since February 10 with a muscle problem.

Senators sack coach Paddock after fall from first place

OTTAWA: The Ottawa Senators, who have fallen from first place in the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference, sacked coach John Paddock on Wednesday.

The club announced that Bryan Murray will return as coach while retaining his position as general manger.

Murray was kicked upstairs at the end of last season, having led the Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in club history.

With 16 years of coaching experience, Murray has been behind the bench for more than 1,300 regular season and playoff contests.

Paddock's job had reportedly been under threat as the Senators floundered for more than a month.

Spain's Nadal to face Germany in Davis Cup

BERLIN: World No 2 Rafael Nadal says he will make his first Davis Cup appearance of 2008 for Spain when it takes on Germany this April in Bremen for a place in the semifinals.

The three-time French Open winner is competing this week in the doubles at the ATP tournament in Rotterdam as part of his preparations for the quarterfinal clash with Germany.

"Right now I'm with Tommy Robredo and at Indian Wells I'll go with David Ferrer to prepare for the Olympic Games and the next Davis Cup tie against Germany," Nadal was reported as saying by German sports agency SID.

Nadal didn't take part in Spain's 5-0 defeat of Peru earlier this month, while Germany beat South Korea 3-2 to book its last-eight place.

Former Belgian star Clijsters gives birth to daughter

BRUSSELS: Former Belgian world tennis No 1 Kim Clijsters on Wednesday gave birth to daughter Jada, a family spokesman said.

The baby, who weighs 3.035 kilos (6.7lb) and is 51cm (20in) tall, and her 24-year-old mother are both well, added the spokesman quoted by the Belga agency.

The former world No 1, who retired in May last year, gave birth at Limbourg in the east of Belgium and delivered on one of the wishes she made, which was to have a child before her father and former Belgian international footballer Leo died of cancer.

Clijsters senior, who was part of the excellent Belgian side that reached the 1986 World Cup semi-finals, is believed to be suffering from terminal cancer.

(China Daily 02/29/2008 page22)