WORLD OF SPORT

▷▷▷ Korea’s ‘Garlic Girls’ have recipe for success

They are dubbed the “Garlic Girls” but go by the names Pancake, Yogurt, Steak, Cookie and Sunny – meet the South Korean curlers who are whipping up a recipe for success at the Olympics. The Koreans, ranked eighth in the world, have emerged medal contenders at the Pyeongchang Games. After stunning top teams Canada, Switzerland and Sweden, they were the first to advance to today’s semi-finals. Their giantkilling feats on the ice have drawn big crowds in a country where curling is little known. Their skills have wooed fans while their affectionate nicknames have added a light-hearted twist to their feats on the ice. “I think the names are so fun,” said Oh Ja-young, a spectator from Bundang. All of them have “KIM” written on the back of their uniforms, the most common Korean surname that they share. To minimize confusion, Kim Eun-jung, Kim Seon-yeong, Kim Kyeong-ae, Kim Yeong-mi and alternate Kim Cho-hi decided to adopt nicknames.

▷▷▷ Malaysia mourns death of ‘Asian Steel Gate’

Malaysian football legend Chow Chee Keong, named as Asia’s best goalkeeper from 1966 to 1970, has died after a struggle with bladder cancer. He was 69. Named the “Asian Steel Gate” for his unwavering goal defence, Chow played for several Hong Kong clubs from 1970 to 1982. Hailed by Brazilian football superstar Pele as one of the best goalkeepers he ever came across, Chow even turned down an offer by the Brazilian club Cruzeiro to play for them. He died in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday morning after a struggle with bladder cancer. “He was the best goalkeeper in Asia for five consecutive years, and a Malaysian football legend,” wrote Prime Minister Najib Razak in a tweet. “My condolences to his family.” Chow played for the Malaysian national team from 1965 at the age of 15, becoming the country’s youngest international player.

▷▷▷ Mercedes chief would take chainsaw to halo

Mercedes-GP team principal Toto Wolff criticised Formula One’s controversial new halo head-protection device as the double world champions unveiled their new F1 W09 car for the 2018 season. After years of research and development, the FIA settled on the halo to protect drivers from flying debris and crashes following the fatal accidents of Jules Bianchi at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and Justin Wilson in a 2015 IndyCar race. “I’m not impressed with the whole thing, and if you give me a chainsaw I would take it off,” said Wolff, who complained about the weight of the new device.