LYFE LYFE THURSDAY | FEB 8, 2024 25 Young Mazino preps for the apocalypse LESS than a week after it was announced that he would be joining the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, Young Mazino is set to start filming the show’s continuation in two weeks. During the Emmys red carpet, Mazino Mazino’s Jesse will play a substantial role in the show. - NETFLIX / SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT oThe rising actor joins the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Flockhart to make a comeback CALISTA Flockhart, who rose to stardom by embodying the iconic character Ally McBeal, has made a comeback to the small screen in a TV series. Fans who came of age in the 1990s fondly remember her as the quirky character in a law firm filled with amusing personalities. She engaged the audience with her observations and inner monologues, not to mention the famous unisex bathroom scenes. After marrying Hollywood A-lister Harrison Ford, Flockhart somewhat faded from the spotlight until her recent appearance at the Emmy Awards just two weeks ago. Her reunion with Ally McBeal co-stars sparked a wave of online nostalgia about the show. The exciting news is that Flockhart is set to return to the small screen, portraying Lee Radziwil in Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Capote versus the Swans. Lee, also known as Caroline Lee Bouvier, was an American socialite and a public relations executive, but most notably, she was the younger sister of former First Lady Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Although the first season of Feud premiered in 2017, the drama makes a comeback for its second season after a sevenyear hiatus in 2024, featuring a new cast. Among the starstudded actors in this 1950s-set drama are Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, M o l l y R i n g w a l d , Demi Moore and Jessica L a n g e . - BY S. TA M A R A I CHELVI Let the games commence THE second bout of Squid Game is due to begin later this year. In a new Netflix sizzle reel, the first footage from the second season was finally revealed, with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) answering a phone call, with the show apparently picking up directly where the first season ended. The season will focus on Gi-hun attempting to enact revenge on the people behind the eponymous game that claimed so many lives in the previous season. For the second season, series creator Hwang Donghyuk has teased that there will be more deadly games, the return of fan-favourite characters and another “killer doll”. Dong-hyuk will continue helming the series as director, writer and producer. A global phenomenon when it was released back in 2021, Squid Game became Netflix’s biggest series and the first from South Korea to reach number one in the US. The series also topped the charts in all 94 countries that Netflix has a Top 10 list in. The brand also expanded with last year’s controversial reality series, Squid Game: The Challenge. - BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Gi-hun will attempt to bring down the death game in the new season. – NETFLIX Palmer eyes early retirement A career that began in Keke Palmer’s early teenage years might be seeing its end soon. Now 30 years old, Palmer has dipped her toes in almost everything, from acting to singing to hosting. For the latter, she won the 2023 Emmy for outstanding game show host, making her the first woman to win the award in 15 years. “I don’t know. I think the timer has started,” Palmer recently told Teen Vogue about her plans to retire. “I think it’s because I just haven’t felt it yet. But with the timer, I know that it’s around the corner. I don’t know when exactly, but it’s around the corner.” Despite her relatively short time in the entertainment industry, Palmer has thought about the legacy she hopes to leave behind, particularly for her son Leo. “The main thing I want those legacies to be is [a call] to use your power for good, to use what you have to create spaces and systems for other people to thrive,” she said. Known for her acting roles in Nope and Hustlers, Palmer recently joined Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune, starring alongside Ansari, Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen. - BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Palmer (left) gained wider recognition in Jordan Peele’s sci-fi thriller Nope. - UNIVERSAL PICTURES spoke to Variety about landing the role of Jesse in the show and the preparation that will be going into it. “After the strike ended, I was able to get a meeting with the show runners and we kind of just shopped it up. I played the video game before the meeting and we had a long talk about their process and what they’re looking for,” the actor said. He further cites the success of Netflix’s Beef, which landed him a nomination in the outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie category, as a factor in nabbing the role. “That’s the beauty of where I’m getting to now. It’s a conversation more than an audition process.” On his experience playing the game, Mazino called it “phenomenal”. He also revealed that preparation for the role includes learning horseback riding and firearms training. “I haven’t met Pedro Pascal or Bella Ramsey, I have messaged Bella, but I haven’t had the pleasure of talking to them, but I will soon.” In The Last of Us Part II video game, which the second season of the show will adapt, Jesse is a new major character that is part of the community that franchise leads Joel (Pascal) and Ellie (Ramsey) have become a part of. The teaser for the new season is that Jesse joins Ellie on a daunting revenge mission after their community suffers a great loss.
LYFE LYFE THURSDAY | FEB 8, 2024 26 I Crackling celebrations N the vibrant tapestry of Chinese New Year celebrations, few traditions capture the imagination quite like the lighting of firecrackers. Rooted in ancient legend and steeped in symbolism, the fiery explosions that fill the air during this festive season hold a special place in the hearts of people across China and beyond. At the heart of the tradition lies a tale as old as time, a story of bravery, ingenuity and the triumph of good over evil. Legend has it that long ago, in a village nestled amid mist-covered mountains, a fearsome monster known as Nian terrorised the land. The legend and legacy of firecrackers in Chinese New Year. - CHINA TODAY oTale behind the significance of firecrackers during Chinese New Year █ BY ACE EMERSON The red paper from the firecrackers is left for a day to preserve luck. - CHINA SOURCE through generations, the sage devised a plan to vanquish the beast once and for all. Gathering the villagers together, the sage revealed his plan to them. “Nian fears three things above all else,” he explained. “The colour red, loud noises and fire.” Inspired by his words, the villagers set to work, adorning their homes with scarlet banners, banging pots and pans to create a cacophony of sound and lighting fires to illuminate the night sky. As the eve of the new year drew near, the village braced itself for the inevitable onslaught. But when Nian emerged from the forest, expecting to find easy prey, it was met instead with a wall of sound and light unlike anything it had ever encountered. Fearing for its life, the monster turned tail and fled, vanishing into the darkness whence it came. In the days that followed, the villagers rejoiced, grateful for their deliverance from the clutches of Nian. And so, in gratitude for their salvation, they resolved to celebrate the lunar new year in grand fashion, with feasting, music and, of course, firecrackers. From that day forward, the tradition of setting off firecrackers became an integral part of Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. As the years passed and the legend of Nian faded into memory, the tradition of lighting firecrackers endured, passed down from generation to generation as a cherished reminder of the village’s triumph over adversity. Today, the spirit of that ancient legend lives on in the joyful celebrations that mark the Chinese New Year. From bustling cities to remote villages, the air is alive with the crackling of firecrackers and the laughter of children. Families gather together to feast on dumplings and noodles, exchange gifts and pay homage to their ancestors. But this year, as the Chinese New Year dawns and the Year of the Dragon begins, there is an added sense of excitement in the air. In Chinese culture, the dragon is revered as a symbol of power, strength and good fortune. And so, as families come together to welcome the dragon with firecrackers and fireworks, they do so with a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the year ahead. Despite the noise and chaos they may bring, firecrackers remain an enduring symbol of joy, protection and community spirit during Chinese New Year celebrations. As families come together to light up the night sky with their colourful explosions, they reaffirm their commitment to tradition and their belief in the power of unity and good fortune in the year ahead. So let the firecrackers light up the night and may the new year bring blessings and prosperity to all who celebrate. With its razor-sharp claws and insatiable appetite for destruction, Nian would emerge from the depths of the forest each year on the eve of the lunar new year, wreaking havoc upon the unsuspecting villagers. Terrified and defenceless, the villagers sought refuge in their homes, hoping to escape the monster’s wrath. But one wise elder, a sage revered for his wisdom and courage, dared to challenge Nian. Armed with nothing but his wits and the knowledge passed down
SPORTS SPORTS THURSDAY | FEB 8, 2024 28 No regrets Emotional missing events, but LIV debut entertaining, says Rahm AS HE readies for his second LIV Golf event and his first on US soil, Jon Rahm lamented missing out on recent PGA Tour events but doesn’t regret his decision to switch circuits. “It was a lot harder to be at home not competing and know that those events were going on,” Rahm told reporters yesterday at Las Vegas Country Club. “Palm Springs and Torrey, those weeks were hard. I’ve explained so many times how important Torrey is for me.” Rahm’s first PGA Tour win in 2017 was at Torrey Pines, which is also where he won his first major, the US Open, in 2021. As the No. 3 player in the world and the top box-office draw for LIV Golf, Rahm reportedly received more than US$300 million (RM1.4b) to join the circuit. This week, however, he is missing the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, just a few miles from his home. “And driving by Phoenix as often as I had to and knowing that I wasn’t going to play there, it’s definitely emotional,” he said. “That’s one of the things that I’m going to miss.” Memories aside, Rahm is preparing for this week’s event and is focused on LIV Golf. “I’m not typically a person that’s going to regret any decisions,” Rahm said. “I made as educated a decision as I could with the full support of the people around me and (I’m) confident that it was the right thing for me, so I’m not going to regret it.” Though he was banned from competing in those PGA events once he jumped ship, Rahm is hopeful he can compete in those events down the road. Especially if the PGA merges with LIV Golf, which has been rumoured to be in the works as negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continue. “I’m hoping that in the near future I can be back playing some of those events,” Rahm said. “I would certainly love to go back and play some of them. “If there’s ever a way back and a way where we can play, even if it’s as an invite, I will take it. There’s certain events that are special to me that I would still love to support.” As for his first LIV Golf event last week at Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Rahm thoroughly enjoyed the experience. His team, Legion XIII, picked up the team victory while individually he finished in a tie for third. “It’s definitely different,” he said. “For people watching, the atmosphere, the music, it’s different, but I think it’s very entertaining. It gives the crowd a level of engagement that I wasn’t expecting. “Everybody seemed really into the music and into the golf, and it was really fun to play before a crowd that was enjoying it so much.” – Field Level Media Donald mum on defectors’ Ryder Cup status WITH several months until Ryder Cup qualification starts, European captain Luke Donald side-stepped the question of whether Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will be on the team after leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. “Do I see them (on the team)? It’s really hard for me to answer that question now,” Donald told reporters yesterday at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. “What I did so well in my captaincy last year was just control what I can control. We’re seven months out probably until qualification starts. “We have all this talk about being potential deals with the PGA Tour, with DP World Tour, with the PIF. I have no idea what’s going to happen. “For the next seven months, I don’t really need to know what’s going to happen because qualification for the Ryder Cup won’t start until then.” Donald also said that no one from Europe’s Ryder Cup team is judging Rahm or Hatton, who joined LIV Golf, for making the switch even though it may jeopardise their Ryder Cup participation. “I haven’t seen too many of the guys,” Donald said. “We still have a group WhatsApp chat, and we’re all participating in that chat that we created for Rome. “There’s nothing adverse or anything within that chat. Everyone understands each individual wants to do the best for themselves, and I don’t think anyone is judging Tyrrell or Jon’s decision.” As members of the European Tour, Rahm and Hatton remain eligible under the current rules, but Donald said he couldn’t guarantee they would be eligible when it comes time to pick the Ryder Cup team and defend Europe’s title. “The guys that decided to resign their membership, yeah, at that point I couldn’t pick them,” Donald said, “but at this moment those are the rules, and so far, I’m sure Jon, I’m sure Tyrrell, they want to be a part of it, and they will hopefully adhere to whatever the rules are that allows them to play in the Ryder Cup.” – Field Level Media JUSTIN THOMAS is on the side of Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and others that LIV Golf players still should be penalised in a would-be merger of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund’s interests and the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour is still in negotiations with the PIF, which financially backed LIV and got several big names to break away from the tour in 2022 and 2023. The PGA Tour suspended those players indefinitely for playing on the LIV circuit, most recently World No. 3 Jon Rahm of Spain, who signed with LIV in December. Since then, a consortium of US.-based sports f r a n c h i s e owners called the Strategic Sports Group has made an initial US$1.5 billion (RM7b) investment to become minority owner of PGA Tour Enterprises, the tour’s new forprofit wing. But if the PGA and PIF do complete a deal, it remains to be seen how that will affect the future of LIV and its players. Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy, once the fiercest critic of LIV, recently did a 180 in saying that LIV players who wish to return to the PGA Tour should be able to do so without sanction. “I would say that there’s a handful of players on LIV that would make the tour a better place,” Thomas said yesterday ahead of the WM Phoenix Open, “but I’m definitely not in the agreement that they should just be able to come back that easily.” Thomas’ opinion follows those of close friends Spieth and Fowler, who have also made clear in recent days that they don’t align with McIlroy’s sudden lenience. Some players came out last year to say they believe the PGA Tour should reward members who did not take LIV’s money. “I think there’s a lot of us that made sacrifices and were very – whether it’s true to our word or what we believe in or just didn’t make that decision,” Thomas said. “And I totally understand that things are changing and things are getting better, but… I would have a hard time with it, and I think a lot of guys would have a hard time with it, and I’m sure we don’t need to convince you why we would have a hard time with it. “I think there’s a scenario somewhere, whatever it is, down the road of some kind of version of some guys being back, but when and what that is, I have no idea.” – Field Level Media No easy ride back for rebels: Thomas McIlroy to defend Scottish Open title RORY MCILROY confirmed he will defend his Scottish Open title at The Renaissance Club from July 11-14 ahead of The 152nd Open the following week. McIlroy, 34, birdied the final two holes last year to edge Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre by a shot and claim his first Scottish Open title. That also made him the first player to win the Scottish Open, Irish Open and The Open. “It was special to win the Genesis Scottish Open for the first time last season,” McIlroy said. “Winning a national open is always notable, and to do it in the home of golf, with such great support from the Scottish fans, made it a memorable week.” The Scottish Open typically draws a strong field as it is cosanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, providing players an opportunity to earn points in both the Race to Dubai and the FedEx Cup standings. McIlroy and many others will follow this year’s Scottish Open with a trip to The Open at Royal Troon. He remains No. 2 in the world behind only Scottie Scheffler. Finau commits to Houston Open THE Houston Open is returning to the PGA Tour schedule in 2024, and defending champion Tony Finau has committed to play. Finau won the tournament in November 2022. As the tour moved to a calendar-year schedule in 2024, it wasn’t held in 2023. This year’s edition is scheduled for March 28-31 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. The 2022 Houston Open victory is one of six for Finau on the PGA Tour, and he has 31 top-five results. Finau, 34, is ranked 23rd in the Official World Golf Ranking. His best finish so far in 2024 is a tie for sixth at the Farmers Insurance Open last month. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF COMPANIES (WINDING UP) RULES, 1972 AND No. 67 (Rule 112) NOTICE OF MEETING PINE TREASURE SDN. BHD. (In Liquidation) (Registration No. 199401017776 (303454-A)) TAKE NOTICE that the First Meeting of the contributories in the above matter will be held entirely on a fully virtual basis vide Microsoft Team at MAZARS RISK MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD., Wisma Golden Eagle Realty, 11th Floor, South Block, No 142-A, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 26th day of February, 2024 at 10.00 a.m. for the following purposes:- 1. To receive a summary of account of receipts and payments from the Liquidators and to hear any explanation that may be given by the Liquidator; 2. To update the current status of the Company; 3. Any other matters. Khor Yong Yong Liquidator Dated this 8th day of February, 2024. Forms of general and special proxies are enclosed herewith. Proxies to be used at the meeting must be lodged not later than 12 o’clock on 22nd February 2024. 322 Notices SHORTS Rahm Thomas. – REUTERSPIX
SPORTS SPORTS THURSDAY | FEB 8, 2024 29 ‘I just need to believe’ Osaka trying not to feel like a failure after early Abu Dhabi exit NAOMI OSAKA said she was trying not to feel “like a failure” after her comeback hit another roadblock with a 7-5, 6-0 defeat to former world No. 7 Danielle Collins in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open yesterday. “I say some pretty harsh words about myself. I know the word, but if I say it, it sounds really bad. I felt a little like a ‘failure’, but I don’t want to be too harsh,” Osaka said in the UAE capital after her straight sets defeat. The Japanese star returned last month from a 15-month absence from the tour, during which she gave birth to her first child Shai, but has been handed some tricky draws and lost three of her four matches so far this campaign. The former world No. 1 also lost in straight sets in the doubles later on, alongside Ons Jabeur, but feels that performance helped her shake off her earlier disappointment. “I’m less confident but I’m not too unconfident to think that I can’t play really good tennis,” four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka said. “I really think I just need to get through a really tough match and then sort of acknowledge that that’s going to happen quite a couple of times.” Despite a close opening set that witnessed supreme serving from both players, Osaka struggled in her service games in the second set and failed to convert any of her six break point opportunities to fall to the American qualifier in one hour and 23 minutes. “Everyone around me is telling me I’m playing well and I don’t think I’m playing bad,” she continued. “I just need to believe in myself more and I think as soon as I got broken my belief dipped a lot.” Osaka will next head to Doha for the Qatar Open and says she “might have to play Dubai” but is unsure as of yet. Meanwhile, Collins improved her headto-head record against Osaka to 2-3 and will take on top-seeded Elena Rybakina in the second round. The 30-year-old Collins has announced this will be her final season on tour and has herself navigated some brutal draws in her first five weeks of 2024. At the Australian Open, she beat three-time major winner Angelique Kerber before falling to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in round two. She has been handed two more grand slam champions in Abu Dhabi in the form of Osaka and 2022 Wimbledon winner Rybakina. Collins said wanting to live a normal life away from the constant travel and the daily grind on tour was the main reason behind her decision to retire at the end of the season. “At this point I feel like I’m ready for the next chapter and I’m really excited about it,” she said. “I needed to have an end date and it gives my family and friends the ability to come support me in some final tournaments. I think that will be really special,” said the player from Florida. – AFP Sainz ‘not disappointed’ with Ferrari snub CARLOS SAINZ has insisted that he is “not disappointed” with the situation regarding his Ferrari future and that his focus remains fully on the upcoming season with the hopes of becoming world champion. The Spaniard will leave the team at the end of the year following the news that Lewis Hamilton has signed on for the 2025 season. Sainz has been an impressive operator during his Ferrari career, winning two races – including the only non-Red Bull Grand Prix win of 2023 – and standing on the podium 16 times. However, this wasn’t enough to secure his longterm future with the team. When Hamilton’s jaw-dropping transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari was confirmed at the start of February, Sainz was the natural fall guy with team-mate Charles Leclerc already putting pen to paper on a long-term contract extension in January. Speaking to Sky Sports about his mental state following the confirmation of Hamilton’s switch, Sainz explained: “I’m fine, I’m calm, we’re working for the future but above all, for what that we have ahead of us. “It’s a very important year, my last year with the team and I want to do the best I can. I’m training to prepare as best I can and give everything.” Asked whether he was upset about the situation, the Spaniard continued: “No, it didn’t disappoint me. Experiencing Ferrari from the inside, I already knew several things and I prepared myself with the team in view of future changes. “As I said, however, I don’t want to think about anything other than how to give my all this season for Ferrari. Knowing that it will be the last year with a team is not the most normal thing to start a new season. “But as soon as I put on my helmet in Bahrain and get on the track, you can be sure that I will only think about going as fast as possible. And if there is the chance to become world champion I will try to take it.” – Express Newspapers REAL MALLORCA and Real Sociedad cancelled each other out in a cagey 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal at a packed Son Moix stadium yesterday. Visiting Sociedad had the better of the few clear-cut chances with Umar Sadiq somehow failing to score from point-blank range in a marginally more exciting second half. M a l l o r c a talisman Abdon Prats went closest for the islanders with a volley midway through the first half and another low shot just off target early in the second half. Sociedad will be favourites to progress from the second leg on Feb. 27 although Javier Aguirre’s Mallorca will retain hope of repeating their sole Copa del Rey title in 2003. “With this opponent, who are better than us, who have a lot of resources, I’m happy with the result,” Aguirre said. “We knew they were going to put us under pressure, it was a game where we had to work a lot, run a lot, maybe not the most attractive, but the tie is open.” Mallorca’s 4-0 defeat by Bilbao at the weekend left them precariously placed just above the La Liga drop zone but the mood was buoyant ahead of yesterday’s cup clash. Sadly, the match was not much of a spectacle for the excited crowd as it descended into a tactical battle with Mallorca failing to register a single shot on target. Real Sociedad, who will face Paris St Germain in the last-16 of the Champions League next week, gradually seized control of the match and would have returned home with victory but for some wayward finishing by Sadiq. “He knows that this goal would have given us an advantage for the second leg, but here, when we slip up, we slip up together,” Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil said of his errant striker. “It’s football and we have to support him.” – Reuters Mallorca, Sociedad grind out stalemate Tah strikes late for Leverkusen JONATHAN TAH scored in the 90th minute to send Bayer Leverkusen through to the German Cup semifinals with a 3-2 win at home over Stuttgart on Tuesday. League leaders Leverkusen twice came from behind against an impressive Stuttgart side, securing victory in the dying moments for the third time in their past five matches. With the match headed for extra-time, midfielder Florian Wirtz curled in a superb cross for Tah to head home and clinch a memorable victory. Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso toasted the victory, telling reporters “sometimes we win with control, structure and stability, but today we won with heart, soul – and that is also very important.” “To score like that gives us lots of energy and positive hope for what’s to come,” goalscorer Tah told Germany’s ARD network. The win will be a crucial confidence boost for Leverkusen ahead of Sunday’s (1.30am Malaysian time) home date with Bayern Munich, who sit two points behind them in the league. Tah however sought to quash trophy talk, saying “what makes us strong is that we’re focusing on the here and now and on the tasks we have at hand, not what could happen at the end of the season.” NZ thrash weakened Proteas in first Test NEW ZEALAND took their time but eased to a comprehensive victory over an inexperienced South Africa side by 281 runs late on the fourth day of the first Test yesterday to take a 1-0 lead in the twomatch series. The Black Caps had held a first-innings lead of 349 and declared their second innings on 179 for four just before the start of play at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui to present the Proteas with an imposing victory target of 529. They never looked like getting close to it but showed some resistance before seamer Kyle Jamieson (4-58) made key breakthroughs and spinner Mitchell Santner (3-59) mopped up the tail to bowl them out for 247. “Pretty happy, I think any time you win a test match inside four days it’s always pretty pleasing,” said New Zealand skipper Tim Southee. “We know that any South African team is going to fight, they are very passionate people, and we knew that they were going to be up for it over this test match.” Becker ends stint as Rune’s coach SIX-TIME major winner Boris Becker said he has stepped down as coach of Denmark’s world No. 7 Holger Rune with immediate effect due to “private and professional responsibilities”. Becker returned to the tennis circuit last October to coach Rune, who went on to compete in the eight-player ATP Finals in Turin where his debut in the seasonending championship ended in the group stage. “We started this partnership with the initial goal to reach the ATP Finals (at the) end of last year but moving forward I realised that in order for this to be successful, I would need to be available for Holger much more than I can,” Becker wrote in a social media post yesterday. “Due to professional and private responsibilities, I can’t give Holger what he needs now. I wish him only the very best and I’m always going to be his No. 1 fan. I truly appreciated this journey together.” SHORTS Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo (left) vies with Real Mallorca’s Sergi Darder during their Copa del Rey semifinal first leg match. – AFPPIX
SPORTS SPORTS THURSDAY | FEB 8, 2024 30 5756/2024 07/02/2024 (WED) 3225 1981 4784 5687 6574 4512 2543 9365 5532 2219 6218 7422 9268 1087 6310 0319 4164 1537 0850 6840 3039 6964 3798 20,410,022.59 3225 3225 3225 4784 4784 1981 4784 4784 1981 1981 3225 1981 281,260.98 3225 1981 4784 MONKEY 53837 16717 6717 717 92992 1 7 8 4 659384 59384 9384 384 65938 6593 659 6 5 6,043,858.76 3,347,865.37 13 21 22 30 47 55 438,895.53 25 26 29 32 33 50 2 6 12 25 47 50 41 26,031,384.95 RM278,297 RM150,418 won on 04/02/2024 ! Toto 4D Jackpot 2 (i-System) Toto 4D Jackpot 2 965 876 + DOG 336 923 + DOG 214 115 + HORSE Draw Date: 07/02/24 (Wed) Draw No: 5703/24 Venue: PERAK TURF CLUB 5876 6923 4115 6345 + 7232 0522 + 5806 1849 + 8265 4708 + 1381 1666 + 8662 4851 + 8578 8983 + 4173 5607 + 0784 9495 + 9007 1777 + 4674 RM12,655,269.20 5876 + 6923 6923 + 5876 5876 + 4115 4115 + 5876 6923 + 4115 4115 + 6923 RM601,958.20 RM290,000.00 RM2,142,082.20 RM454,861.00 466 345 397 232 830 522 695 806 791 849 918 265 684 708 641 381 901 666 038 662 514 851 978 578 638 983 034 173 755 607 510 784 669 495 409 007 421 777 684 674 876 923 115 RM870,595.20 876 + 923 + 115 923 + 115 + 876 876 + 115 + 923 115 + 876 + 923 923 + 876 + 115 115 + 923 + 876 HSSB 1+3DJP2 RM118K & 2nd Prize Bonus RM194K won on 4/2/24 Can Reds write off a bad day? … or did Arsenal defeat reveal critical flaws? WITH three minutes of the seven added on left to play, Alisson Becker wafted a pass out to the left flank. There was no purple shirt there and the ball drifted out aimlessly for a throw-in. As a moment it was nothing; as a moment of football it was everything. The home support cheered and jeered it in equal measure, as Liverpool were left to rue how it simply summed up their day of ineptitude. Arsenal may not want to hear it, but they and their points tally are very much secondary concerns for Monday’s visitors when it comes to the Premier League title fight. An eventual 3-1 win for the Gunners means the gap is down to two points between the pair. But that number matters less than another: the gap between whoever is top, and Manchester City. Regardless of which of these teams ends up running the reigning champions closest, or indeed lifting the trophy, the likelihood – nearly the certainty – is that only one of them at most will be finishing ahead of the Cityzens. As such, for Jurgen Klopp and co the ambition isn’t staying ahead of Arsenal, which they still are, it’s staying clear of Pep Guardiola’s team. And, after this result, the immediate issue for Liverpool is that this is no longer the case: winning two games in hand, City can go a point clear at the top. Just a few short days after perhaps their performance of the season to thrash Chelsea, this display from the Reds was everything that one was not: sluggish, errorstrewn, lacking in final-third penetration and certainly any kind of cutting edge once there. The goal they scored was beyond a parody, but after the first half they endured, it was perhaps fitting that Liverpool’s equaliser arrived in the most ludicrous manner it did. Luis Diaz showed fight, sure, but on his own and not controlling the ball, and not facing the goal, and surrounded by three defenders and the goalkeeper, the ball simply should never have found its way into the net – especially via Gabriel’s hand. And yet, if that goal was bordering on joke territory, it didn’t hold a candle to their defensive efforts on the day. So the question for Jurgen Klopp is: Was this a blip, a bad day on the worst day for it? Or something more which speaks of a little missing depth, a few too many players involved who haven’t yet had to face the relentless rigours of a Premier League title fight? For Arsenal, they’ll have no such concerns: the focus will be on why this big performance can be replicated upon request and keep pushing them back in front in the title race. Perhaps they won’t be able to rely on an opponent being quite so accommodating next time, but that is of little relevance. They were presented with opportunities and took them, and in truth even if the defensive mixups had not been quite as absurd as they were, they were still the better team on the day and created far more openings of note. Manchester City might be heartened, Arsenal joyous, but for Liverpool a quick reset is needed. – The Independent Saints book Cup date aints book Cup date with Liverpool ith Liverpool SOUTHAMPTON set up an FA Cup clash with Liverpool as Sekou Mara struck twice in a 3-0 defeat of fellow Championship side Watford in a fourth round replay yesterday. Leeds United also reached the fifth round as they overcame Plymouth Argyle 4-1 after extra-time while Coventry City trounced Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 to earn a tie with minor league Maidstone United. Leeds will play either Chelsea or Aston Villa who will decide their tie overnight. Promotion remains Southampton’s priority but after extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 24 they will relish a crack at Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League leaders. “We have a lot of games between now and (the trip to Anfield) so it won’t be a focus for a while but I’m pleased for the lads as they’ve earned the opportunity with a really convincing performance in the second half,” said Southampton manager Russell Martin told BBC Radio. “The biggest test for us will be to go there and be the team we want to be. We’re not going to change anything. It’s a brilliant challenge.” After a turgid first half at St. Mary’s the game exploded into life after the interval with Frenchman Mara scoring twice in the space of six minutes. He opened the scoring in the 52nd minute after a clever touch by Che Adams and soon after that teenager Tyler Dibling surged forward and found Adams who in turn fed Mara to fire powerfully home from 20 metres. Adams then grabbed his 10th goal of the season as he got on the end of Joe Rothwell’s free kick. Wilfried Gnonto’s well-taken goal looked like booking Leeds a place in the fifth round but hosts Plymouth levelled late on when Brendan Galloway bundled in from close range. With rain pouring down Crysencio Summerville came off the bench to put Leeds ahead in the first half of extra time, curling in a sublime finish after a jinking run. Georginio Rutter made it 3-1 and Plymouth were left with no hope after an own goal by Ryan Hardie. – Reuters/Agencies █ BY KARL MATCHETT Southampton’s Che Adams (centre) in action with Watford’s Ryan Porteous (right). – REUTERSPIX
SPORTS SPORTS THURSDAY | FEB 8, 2024 31 All jackpot amounts stated above are for this Draw. Subject to T&Cs of the Scheme. Please visit to www.magnum4d.my for more info. THE BIGGER PLAY IS TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY 992/24 07/02/2024 4215 9196 4299 2231 2864 1983 6435 9181 6252 7496 7596 4631 0091 0231 0133 8796 2271 0647 1694 3839 0149 1705 7266 RM4,817,017.08 RM481,534.42 4215 + 9196 9196 + 4215 4299 + 4215 4215 + 4299 9196 + 4299 4299 + 9196 12 14 15 21 27 31 32 36 6 30 RM5,043,805.79 RM187,376.87 1 5 9 6 9 9 1 5 9 6 9 5 9 6 9 9 1 5 9 6 9 6 9 9 1 5 9 6 9 9 1 5 9 9 9 6 0 2 No ticket to Paris Injury dashes Nur Dhabitah, Pandelela’s Olympic dream A triceps injury suffered by national elite diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri dashed her hopes of securing a slot for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games alongside Datuk Pandelela Rinong. At the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, yesterday, Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Pandelela finished in 12th place out of 16 diving pairs with a total score of 240.06 points in the synchronised 10m platform event. To qualify for the Olympics Nur DhabitahPandela needed to finish among the top four in the competition. Malaysia Swimming Federation (MS) Technical Director Bryan Nickson Lomas said the national diving squad’s preparation had gone smoothly, with them “camping” for two months in China but some matters out of their control happened upon arrival in Qatar. “We were hoping to do better, but there were some constraints because Dhabitah suffered a triceps injury. Her recovery is actually on track, and we acknowledge that the athletes did feel a bit of pressure even though the preparations before that were all smooth,” he told Bernama yesterday. Bryan said Dhabitah still has two more events in her quest for a ticket to the Olympic Games, namely the 3m springboard and synchronised 3m springboard event with Wendy Ng. However, Pandelela, who had a big dream of making her fifth consecutive appearance at the quadrennial Games, saw her hopes dashed after failing in the synchronised 10m platform and 10m individual platform events. Pandelela only managed to secure 29th place with 231.15 points, trailing 204.05 points behind world champion Chen Yuxi (435.20 points) in the qualification round of the 10m individual platform event in Doha. So far, young diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises emerged as the sole Malaysian diver to qualify on merit for the 2024 Olympic Games. The athlete from Sarawak will be making his Olympic debut after advancing to the final of the men’s 10m individual platform event and being among the top 12 divers at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Meanwhile, MS secretary-general Andy Low believes luck did not favour the nation’s diving queen Pandelela for her fifth consecutive Olympics appearance at the Paris 2024 Games scheduled from July 26 until Aug 11. He said that there is no need to point fingers at anyone for the failure, considering that the best preparations have been made by all relevant parties to help prepare the Olympic silver medallist from London 2012 since seven months ago. “There was no luck (for Pandelela) because we had made the best preparations. Whatever was needed (for Pandelela), we had done it, and the doctor had also treated her injury well. “...and when we fail, there’s no need for excuses, just acknowledge that we failed. Who wants to hear excuses anyway? So, whether we say sorry for failing, or we will try our best next time. “I think all divers have tried their best. What else can be said,” he said. Exciting field for Malaysian Open GOLF FANS are in for a grand treat when the Malaysian Open welcomes an elite field of players that will compete from Feb 15-18 at The Mines Resort & Golf Club. The IRS Prima Malaysian Open 2024 will be the 55th staging since the inaugural championship was first played at the Royal Selangor Golf Club. In a first of firsts, the tournament will celebrate another significant milestone after being awarded The Open Qualifying Series Asia status by The R&A. Three leading finishers at The Mines Resort & Golf Club, who are not already exempted before the closing date for entries of The Open, will qualify to play in this year’s Open Championship to be held at Royal Troon from July 14-21. A total of 150 professional players from the Asian Tour and Malaysia have confirmed their participation to play for the US$1 million (RM4.7m) prize purse. Some of the Asian Tour’s top names entered for the tournament are Australia’s Jed Morgan, Americans James Piot and Sihwan Kim, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand, and defending champion Trevor Simsby from USA to name a few. Four national team players will be in the field after receiving exemptions from the Malaysian Golf Association and the organising committee. While it has been a long wait for the nation to celebrate a Malaysian victory, there is every possibility that the moment is just around the corner. At the top of the list of Malaysians having the potential to lift the Seagram Trophy is none other than double-Olympian Gavin Kyle Green, who currently plays on the DP World Tour. He has played in nine Malaysian Opens, as an amateur and a professional. “My best memory of the Malaysian Open was when I won best amateur in 2013, finishing in T22 with a total score of -6,” said the 30-year-old who turned pro in 2015. “In 2013, I carded my lowest tournament score of 6-under 210 at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to tie for 22nd place.” This year’s tournament will be the first time in history that Gavin and his younger brother Galven will play as professionals in the national open. Galven has played in two previous opens as an amateur. Other noteworthy Malaysians to watch out for are Ben Leong, Shariffuddin Ariffin, Ervin Chang, Danny Chia, Amir Nazrin, Nicholas Fung, Khor Kheng Wai, Paul San, Daeng Abdul Rahman and R. Nachimuthu to name a few. Final a step too far for Klinsmann’s South Korea SOUTH KOREA’S late comebacks at the Asian Cup had earned them the tag of playing “zombie football” after they always came back to life when they appeared dead, but it could also describe how they stumbled and eventually fell in the semifinal. South Korea rode their luck when they scored goals after the 90th minute in four straight matches, with late strikes in the last 16 and quarterfinals forcing extra-time against Saudi Arabia and Australia, respectively. But in yesterday’s semifinal, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side were beaten by a hardworking Jordan team who claimed a famous 2-0 win which saw them advance to the final for the first time. South Korea began their campaign as one of the pre-tournament favourites, but the team made up of several Europe-based players led by Son Heung-min were second best on the night as Jordan extended the east Asian side’s 64-year trophy drought. South Korea’s fatigue after twice going to extra-time worked in Jordan’s favour, but the manner in which the Middle Eastern side dismantled their opponents was solid proof that Hussein Ammouta’s well-drilled team had done their homework. For all the talent at Klinsmann’s disposal, his team seemed less than the sum of their parts, conceding in every single game while their attack relied on flashes of individual brilliance. It was primarily their resilience and fitness, the energy to keep going when their opponents began to tire, that dragged South Korea into the semifinal. Klinsmann has been an unpopular appointment for many fans back home in South Korea and although he took responsibility for their exit, he did not offer to resign amid pressure and criticism. The German has been questioned constantly about his demeanour in the dugout and for smiling when things went awry. He was questioned again after he was seen smiling as he shook hands with Ammouta and congratulated the Jordan team, who he said deserved to go through to the final. “For me it’s normal to congratulate the other team and the coach when they were better. It’s a sign of respect,” he said. “If you say I shouldn’t smile, then we have different approaches.” “I am very disappointed, I’m angry because we should have done better tonight. I’m certainly not walking around tonight now and smiling. “But there are reasons why we lost this game and we should accept that.” – Reuters FA CUP (4TH ROUND REPLAYS): Coventry 4 Sheffield Wednesday 1, Plymouth 1 Leeds 4, Southampton 3 Watford 0. COPA DEL REY (SEMIFINAL 1ST LEG): Real Mallorca 0 Real Sociedad 0. GERMAN CUP (QUARTERFINALS): Bayer Leverkusen 3 Stuttgart 2. FRENCH CUP (ROUND OF 16): Sochaux 1 Rennes 6. RESULTS South Korea’s Jo HyeonWoo (left)in action with Jordan’s Yazan Al Arab (right). – REUTERSPIX
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] MAURICIO POCHETTINO has called for perspective on the struggles of his Chelsea team, insisting “I cannot lose my hair” over recent poor results. Sunday’s 4-2 loss at home to Wolves was the 10th in the League since the 51- year-old arrived in the summer and triggered the first audible signs of discontent from fans towards the manager. Afterwards Pochettino appeared to suggest he believed the players were not good enough to arrest the club’s slide, though he has since clarified he was referring only to the performance in the defeat to Gary O’Neil’s side. Chelsea were outrun and outthought by Wolves who, despite seeing their hosts enjoy greater ball possession, were conformably the more threatening team and they cut through the Blues with relative ease en route to a first win at Stamford Bridge since 1979. It drew an angry response from supporters near the dugout who booed the players off at half-time and again at the final whistle as the Blues dropped into the bottom half of the Premier League table. It followed a meek 4-1 collapse away to Liverpool in their previous fixture. However, Pochettino insisted it was important for a coach in his position to retain a sense of enjoyment in the job even in trying times. “Football is my passion, not my job,” he said. “Sometimes we say ‘job’ but it’s the wrong word. Football is entertainment. “If I don’t think like this, I need to go in another position, being a sporting director or CEO or president. “Being coach, I need to keep a sense of why I am here. We cannot suffer because of business and other things. We need to be focused to play football. “To be focused in football, you need to feel free in your mind. You cannot be affected because the stock in New York or Tokyo, or the weather or because the farm doesn’t grow. “That’s why I keep my hair like this, because I don’t suffer from things that I am not in charge of. I only suffer for football, to try to improve the players, to provide them a good platform to win games. “If there is no rain on my farm, you kill the business of my farm. That is a stress. You can lose your hair. But I cannot lose my hair because we’re not winning because the opponent was better than us.” With 15 League games to go, Chelsea are just one place higher in the table than they finished last season in what was wildly acknowledged to be an appalling campaign. “I didn’t finish 12th last year, Chelsea did,” said Pochettino. “It is a different squad to last year, many changes. If you want to compare to damage us, to compare things I think is impossible. “You can compare to try to damage, if you want to make a problem. But to analyse and put all the circumstances, I don’t think that before was better or was worse. It’s difficult to compare because we are in another project.” Pochettino also defended Ben Chilwell, who captained the side in Sunday’s defeat, after he appeared to suggest in a post-match interview that Wolves had shown more desire for the victory than Chelsea. The defender told Sky Sports: “I think they probably showed that they wanted it more than us.” However, Pochettino contested that Chilwell intended to question his teammates’ will to win. “He said, ‘we didn’t win the 50-50 duels’. That was my interpretation. The result we suffered against Wolves, we are Chelsea and everything is bigger than normal. I was talking with him and it was never his intention to say we didn’t show desire.” Pochettino added that Thiago Silva had met with him privately to discuss a post sent by the defender’s wife on social media on Sunday that appeared to call for the manager to be sacked. “He came today to talk with me. I’m not going to talk about (what we said). He came and wanted to talk with me. That was private. That’s it.” – The Independent SCAN ME THURSDAY | FEB 8, 2024 or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME Malaysian Paper Read iPaper at Malaysian Paper Malaysian Paper Poch sings och sings the Blues he Blues Hair loss, stock exchanges and farms – Chelsea boss explains team’s struggles -Story on page 230 -Story on page 231 -Story on page 29 Mallorca, Sociedad grind out stalemate Final a step too far for South Korea Saints book Cup date with Liverpool Pochettino. – REUTERSPIX