SOCCER

Maradona touted for Venezuela coaching job

Diego Maradona has emerged as a possible candidate to replace Rafael Dudamel as head coach of Venezuela's national team.

The 59-year-old Argentine legend has become a target of the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) after Dudamel resigned last week to take charge of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, according to Argentine news portal Ole.

Maradona, who almost singlehandedly guided Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, is currently the manager of Argentine first-division side Gimnasia, where he is contracted until May.

Multiple news reports in Argentina cited Maradona's absence from Gimnasia's first training sessions of the year as evidence of his possible departure.

The FVF is hoping to appoint a new head coach before the South American zone qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup start in March.

Balotelli blasts Lazio fans' racist chants

Mario Balotelli lashed out on Sunday after again being targeted by racist insults, this time from Lazio fans after he scored for Brescia in a 2-1 Serie A loss.

"A defeat that hurts but we will come back stronger and we are on the right track," the Italy international wrote on Instagram.

"Lazio fans that were today at the stadium SHAME ON YOU!#saynotoracism."

Balotelli struck the opening goal after 18 minutes before third-place Lazio hit back with a Ciro Immobile double.

But the game was overshadowed by insulting chants aimed at the former Manchester City and Liverpool player.

The referee halted the action for a few minutes shortly after the halfhour mark and an announcement was made on the stadium's tannoy system, while Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi wildly gesticulated to the visiting fans to stop.

Klopp's kids extend Everton's Anfield angst

A stunning strike from 18-year-old Curtis Jones gave a youthful Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton in their FA Cup third-round tie at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made nine changes to his side, starting three teenagers; his Everton counterpart Carlo Ancelotti opted for a largely full-strength lineup.

Jones made the visitor pay for a host of missed chances, with the Toffees still without a win at Anfield since September 1999.

For the local-born academy product, it was a game he will never forget, delivering his first senior goal in a Merseyside derby.

"I can't sum up my emotions. For me it's huge just being around this team every day and learning from this group of players," Jones said. "There are world-class players all over this team but I think I went out and showed what I could do on the pitch."

ICE CLIMBING

Russia scales heights at Jilin World Cup event

Russia showed its strength in ice climbing by claiming two gold medals at a UIAA World Cup meet in Changchun, Jilin province, over the weekend.

With last season's overall defending champion Nikolai Kuzovlev on its roster, Russia emerged as the biggest winner at the season opener. Anton Nemov triumphed in the men's speed race, with his compatriot Valeriia Bogdan topping the podium in the corresponding women's competition.

In the men's lead race, France's Louna Ladevant won gold, with South Korea's Shin Woon-seon taking the women's title.

Han Cancan was the best-ranked Chinese, finishing sixth in the women's speed race, while compatriot Zhang Dingfeng finished eighth in the men's lead race.

Some 80 athletes from 16 countries and regions took part in the three-day event.

Changchun is the third Chinese city to stage a stop of the World Cup series following previous visits to Beijing and Hohhot.

RALLYING

Alonso 11th after first stage of Dakar debut

Double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso made a solid Dakar Rally debut in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and was 11th after the first 752-kilometer coastal stage from the port city of Jeddah to Al Wajh.

Lithuanian Vaidotas Zala was fastest in the car category, with his Mini JCW Rally ending the day with an advantage of two minutes and 14 seconds over France's 13-time winner Stephane Peterhansel, in a Mini JCW Buggy.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz, the 2018 winner, completed a Mini 1-2-3 while defending champion Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar was fourth for Toyota.

Spaniard Alonso, who left Formula One at the end of 2018 with his seat at McLaren taken by Sainz's son and namesake, was 15 minutes and 27 seconds off the pace in his Toyota Hilux pickup.

The two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner has said the Dakar represents his toughest challenge to date.

BASKETBALL

Scintillating Xinjiang keeps hot streak going

The Xinjiang Flying Tigers secured their eighth straight CBA win by beating the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 120-111 on Sunday.

Six Xinjiang players posted double-digit scores. Former Zhejiang star Jarnell Stokes led the visitor with 35 points and 13 rebounds, while Kay Felder added 27 points and six assists.

"We did a good job on defense, although some key players still missed the game. It's the team's victory!" Xinjiang coach Adijiang said.

Marcus Denmon and Sylven Landesberg combined for 59 points for the host, which drops down to seventh in the standings.

The victory sees Xinjiang consolidate second spot.